Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Uruguayan counterpart, Tabare Vazquez, on Sunday exchanged messages of congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his message, Hu said the peoples of China and Uruguay have been getting along well with each other though they are geographically far apart.

Bilateral ties have been growing smoothly, with friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries increasing with each passing day since they established diplomatic relations 20 years ago, he said.

The Chinese president noted that the past two decades have seen frequent exchanges of high-level visits, fruitful exchanges and cooperation in various fields and close coordination within international organizations and other multilateral spheres.

Hu thanked Vazquez and the Uruguayan government for valuing the China-Uruguay ties and supporting the one-China policy and China's peaceful reunification, adding that China appreciates the stand taken by the president and his government.

He expressed China's readiness to join efforts with Uruguay to further expand the friendly exchanges between the two countries and enrich bilateral cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, cooperation for win-win results.

China is ready to elevate the friendly and cooperative relations of long-term stability, equality and mutual benefits between the two countries to new heights, Hu added.

In his message, Vazquez said the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uruguay and China has ushered in more fruitful bilateral relations, with both sides striving to broaden consensus, strengthen cooperation and deepen mutual trust.

As a result, the past decades have witnessed increasing exchanges between the two governments and legislatures, sustained development of economic and trade cooperation, closer contacts and exchanges between enterprises and in the fields of culture and education, he said.

The two countries have also maintained closer coordination and cooperation on international affairs, the president added.

Uruguay is ready to further enhance coordination and cooperation with China to achieve common development and benefit the two peoples, he said.

Also on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Uruguayan counterpart, Reinaldo Gargano, exchanged messages of congratulation to mark the occasion.
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(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)