Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a speech during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing June 28, 2004. (Reuters photo)

China hails its relationship with India Monday in Beijing at the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

"It serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and contributes to peace, stability and development in Asia and the world over for the two countries to live together in harmony, remain friends forever, seek common ground while shelving differences, and strive mutual benefit and win-win result," said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here Monday.

Wen delivered an eight-page speech at a conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Indian President Abdul Kalam exchanged messages of congratulations Monday for the anniversary, and the heads of government of the two countries did the same.

He said that the two sides reaffirmed commitment to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and expressed resolve to expand and deepen the long-term constructive and cooperative partnership.

Both China and India are celebrated ancient civilizations and large developing countries. "I am confident that with concerted efforts of the two sides, the annals of China-India friendship and cooperation will be added with brilliant new chapters," Wen said.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

Late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai paid separate visits to India and Myanmar, during which joint governments statements were issued to define and initiate what now call the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.