On May 25, 2018, President Xi Jinping and Sultan Qaboos bin Said of the Sultanate of Oman exchanged congratulatory messages, jointly announcing the establishment of China-Oman strategic partnership and warmly celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Xi Jinping pointed out in the congratulatory message that since China and Oman established diplomatic relations 40 years ago, the two governments and peoples have enjoyed mutual respect and equal treatment as well as forged profound friendship. Bilateral relations have undergone comprehensive and rapid development, and both sides have achieved fruitful results from cooperation in various fields under the framework of the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", bringing tangible benefits to the two countries and the two peoples. Attaching high importance to the development of China-Oman relations, I am willing to work with you to take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Oman diplomatic relations as an opportunity to jointly announce the upgrade of the position of bilateral relations to strategic partnership. I believe that it will provide strong political guarantee for the development of bilateral relations, guide the two countries to achieve more results from cooperation in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", and safeguard common interests of both sides in international and regional affairs, so as to constantly elevate bilateral relations to new stages.

Qaboos bin Said expressed in the congratulatory message that Oman attaches importance to developing its relations with China and cherishes the positive results achieved from bilateral friendly cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations 40 years ago. Oman is willing to further promote common interests of the two countries through the establishment and constant enhancement of Oman-China strategic partnership.