BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday sent a message to Kazakhstan's incumbent President Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulating him on his reelection.

"Under your leadership, Kazakhstan has maintained social stability and achieved rapid economic development, while people's standard of living has improved steadily and the country's international standing has risen remarkably," Hu said in the message.

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Hu expressed his belief that Nazarbayev will lead the Kazakh people in their efforts to score new and greater achievements in the country's revival and development.

Relations between China and Kazahkstan, as good neighbors, good friends and good partners, have enjoyed sound growth ever since the two countries established diplomatic ties 19 years ago, marked by the high degree of mutual political trust and mutually beneficial cooperation, Hu said.

Bilateral exchanges and cooperation have been expanding in various fields and the two countries have maintained close coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, he said.

China cherishes the existing friendly relations between the two countries and stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to further advance their strategic partnership, Hu said.

Nazarbayev was reelected in Sunday's presidential election, with 95.5 percent of the vote cast, the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced on Monday.

The election victory will give Nazarbayev, 70, another five-year mandate to govern the largest country in Central Asia.