Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Greek diplomatic ties.

In his message, Hu said, China and Greece have witnessed the sound development of their relations over the past 40 years.

Bilateral cooperation in shipping, economy and trade has been expanded constantly, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have also grown, Hu said.

In recent years, China and Greece have maintained close communication and coordination in dealing with the challenges of the global financial crisis, he said.

Hu added that China treasures its relations with Greece and is willing to work with the southern European country to advance their exchanges at all levels, deepen practical cooperation and expand cultural exchanges, so as to better serve the interests of the two nations.

Papoulias, for his part, said bilateral relations between Greece and China have been fruitful in the past 40 years.

The two countries have established comprehensive strategic partnership and strengthened cooperation in economy, politics and culture, he said.

Greece and the whole Europe are now undergoing profound changes, Papoulias said, adding that Greece, at this critical moment, is willing to boost bilateral cooperation with China in various fields and lift their comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also exchanged congratulatory notes with Greek caretaker Prime Minister Panayiotis Pikrammenos on the same day.

Wen lauded the progress in the China-Greece relations over the past 40 years. He said China is willing to take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations to push forward the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership.

Pikrammenos said the 40th anniversary serves as a milestone in the development of bilateral ties, adding that the two sides should further strengthen political dialogues, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also exchanged congratulatory messages with his Greek counterpart Petros Molyviatis.