* The gesture reflects President Xi’s abiding friendship with President Mutharika and highlights the strong bilateral relations between Malawi and China
By Adson Nthenga, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
Born on July 18, 1940, President Arthur Peter Mutharika has turned 86 today and has received a special gesture of goodwill from China, with President Xi Jinping sending a personal letter and gift to the Malawi leader as the two countries continue to maintain cordial relations.
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Presenting the gift at Kamuzu Palace, China’s Ambassador to Malawi, Lu Xu, said the gesture reflects President Xi’s abiding friendship with President Mutharika and highlights the strong bilateral relations between Malawi and China.
Receiving the gift, President Mutharika described the gesture as an unexpected honour and expressed sincere appreciation to President Xi, whom he described as a colleague and dear friend.
President Mutharika said the gift was a sign of goodwill towards both himself and the people of Malawi, adding that he will send an official letter of appreciation to President Xi.
Meanwhile, birthday wishes continue to pour in from within and outside Malawi as the President marks his 86th birthday today.
In a message posted on his official Facebook page, President Mutharika said he is deeply honoured and thrilled by the birthday wishes, prayers and gifts he has received.
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