Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated Fuad Masoum on his election as president of Iraq, saying he is willing to join hands with the president-elect to advance ties between China and Iraq.

In a message dated Sunday, Xi said he pays close attention to the current situation in Iraq, expressing China's firm support for the Middle East country's efforts in safeguarding domestic stability and countering terrorism.

China supports the process of political reconciliation and economic reconstruction in Iraq, Xi said, expressing the belief that the Iraqi people have the ability and wisdom to overcome difficulties they are facing and realize stability and development as soon as possible.

The Chinese president said he attaches great importance to the development of relations between China and Iraq, which have been in smooth development over recent years.

Xi voiced his willingness to make concerted efforts with Masoum to consolidate and develop the China-Iraq relations of friendly cooperation for the benefits of the two countries and peoples.

Iraqi lawmakers Thursday elected Masoum as the new president of Iraq, signaling important progress in forming a new government.