BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China and Guyana should take the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year as an opportunity to push for more cooperation results and lift bilateral relations to higher levels.

In a telephone conversation with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, Xi suggested that the two countries earnestly respect and accomodate each other's core interests and major concerns, promote Belt and Road cooperation, and expand win-win collaboration in such areas as energy and infrastructure.