President Hu Jintao and Nepali King Gyanendra exchanged congratulations Monday on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

In his message, Hu said China and Nepal are close neighbors and the two peoples share a long history of friendship.

Facing all those changes and challenges on the international arena, bilateral relations between China and Nepal have enjoyed sustained development over the past 50 years, he said.

He said the two countries have made remarkable achievements in cooperation in such fields as politics, economy, trade and education.

To strengthen and consolidate relations with Nepal on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Hu said, is an important part of China's foreign policies toward neighboring countries.

For his part, Gyanendra spoke highly of Nepal's relations with China, saying the ties are characterized by mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust as well as friendship.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2005)