Chinese President Hu Jintao exchanged congratulatory messages Thursday with his Nigerian counterpart Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Hu said over the past 40 years, bilateral relations had witnessed smooth and healthy development.

China-Nigeria relations have ushered in a new phase of fast development and yielded rich fruits since 2005, when the two countries established a strategic partnership based on mutual political trust, economic reciprocity and mutual support in international affairs, he said.

As both countries are the world's major developing countries at their vital stages of progress, China is willing to work with Nigeria to keep enriching the content of China-Nigeria strategic partnership through closer high-level contacts, expanded pragmatic cooperation and more people-to-people exchanges, Hu said

He also called on the two countries to enhance their coordination both within multi-lateral frameworks such as the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and in other international affairs, with an aim to better benefit both sides and their peoples.

Jonathan said in his message that over the past 40 years the two countries have enjoyed mutual political trust; trade and economic cooperation have grown substantially; and bilateral relations have been clearly marked by high-level exchanges and increased people-to-people contacts which have continued to reinforce socio-economic development.

Through patriotic vision and commitment by respective leaders and peoples, Nigeria-China relations have evolved to a strategic level, despite the daunting challenges, he said.

Jonathan said it is his fervent hope and prayer that the strategic relationship would further enrich the content of the thriving friendship, and engender enhanced efforts and cooperation in the fields of infrastructure development, agriculture, capacity building, cultural and educational exchanges.

Also on Thursday Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi exchanged congratulatory messages with his Nigerian counterpart Odein Ajumogobia.