Chinese President Hu Jintao and Albanian President Alfred Moisiu exchanged congratulatory messages Tuesday to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"Albania was among the earliest to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and has made historic contributions to the restoration of China's legitimate seat at the United Nations," Hu said in his message to Moisiu.

Over the past 55 years, Hu said, Sino-Albanian relations have developed smoothly through mutual understanding, equal treatment and close cooperation.

"Facts have shown that the furtherance of our friendly relations and cooperation in all fields, based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit as well as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, serves the fundamental interests of our two nations and peoples," he said.

"China values its relations with Albania and stands ready to join Albania in working on the opportunities of the 55th anniversary of our diplomatic relations to build an even better future for our bilateral relationship," Hu said.

In a message to Hu, Moisiu said that through high-level political dialogue and full-range cooperation with mutual benefit, bilateral relations have been further developed and upgraded to a higher level.

"Albania and China have a sound basis to strengthen a long-term and fruitful cooperation, which will be conducive to the welfare, peace and progress of our two peoples," Moisiu said.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), and Servet Pellumbi, speaker of Albania's People's Assembly, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his Albanian counterpart, Kastriot Islami, also exchanged congratulatory messages.

Source: Xinhua