A reception was held Friday in Beijing to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-Romania diplomatic relations.

Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), said that China and Romania have enjoyed a long-standing friendship and maintain a high momentum of the development of bilateral relations. The two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation in various fields inrecent years, he said.

Chen said that Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a state visit to Romania last June. During the visit, the two countries signed ajoint statement declaring the establishment of an all-around friendly and cooperative partnership, he said.

The two countries also enjoy smooth development of non-governmental exchanges, he said, noting that twenty pairs of sister cities have been established between the two countries.

Romanian Ambassador to China Viorel Isticioaia Budura said China-Romania relations develop rapidly in recent years. Romanian President Ion Iliescu paid a state visit to China last year and met with Chinese leaders, which laid foundation for further development of bilateral relations.

The all-round friendly and cooperative partnership between the two countries is in the interests of the two countries as well as the two peoples, he said.

Isticioaia also appreciated CPAFFC's contribution to promoting the bilateral friendly relations.

Source: Xinhua