Presidents of China and Botswana exchanged congratulatory messages Thursday on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

China and Botswana enjoy long-term friendship, and relations between the two countries have developed smoothly and understanding between the two peoples has increasingly deepened in the past three decades, said Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The two countries have cooperated fruitfully in trade, culture,education, health and other fields, and supported each other in international affairs, said Hu.

The Chinese government and the Chinese people treasure their traditional friendship with Botswana, and will join hands with the Botswana government and people to bring their cooperation to a newheight, Hu added.

Botswana President Festus Mogae said that friendship between Botswana and China has a solid base and bilateral exchanges at various levels have helped further enhance the mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two peoples.

Mogae thanked China for its long-time support to Botswana's development, and reiterated support for "one China policy" and Taiwan's early return to its motherland.

Source: Xinhua