Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Comoros counterpart, Azali Assoumani, exchanged congratulations Sunday on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In a message to Azali, Hu said the two countries share a long history of friendship and China was the first country to establish diplomatic ties with Comoros after its independence.

Despite changes in the situation of the two countries and the world, bilateral ties have advanced smoothly over the past 30 years, he said.

The relationship between the two countries has served as a goodexample of mutual respect, equality and cooperation between big and small countries.

China has long cherished its friendship with Comoros and will, as always, support national reconciliation and construction of Comoros, said Hu.

China will endeavor to foster a long-term, stable, mutually beneficial, cooperative and friendly relationship with Comoros and work with Comoros to bring the ties to a new level in the new century, the Chinese president said.

In his congratulatory message to Hu, Azali said the friendly and cooperative ties between Comoros and China have progressed smoothly on the basis of mutual respect and support and has yielded great results since the two countries established diplomatic ties 30 years ago.

He said China is a reliable friend of Comoros and has provided the country with valuable support in its efforts to win national independence, promote national reconciliation and development.

Comoros will continue to stick to the one-China policy and appreciate China's positive role in setting up the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and making diplomatic efforts to resolve the Korean peninsula nuclear issue and work in the World Trade Organization, the Association of South East Asian Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said Azali.

Comoros is ready to make unremitting efforts, along with the Chinese government, to promote the bilateral ties, said Azali.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his Comoros counterpart, Aboudou Soefou, also exchanged congratulatory messages.

Source: Xinhua