Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday exchanged congratulations with his Ecuadorian counterpart, Lucio Gutierrez, on the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Hu said in a message that bilateral relations have been greatly improved in the past 25 years. In recent years, the two countries have had frequent high-level exchanges, enhanced mutual trust and expanded cooperation in various fields. The two countries have good cooperation in international affairs, said Hu.

China and Ecuador, both of which are developing countries, have broadly-based common ground in maintaining world peace and promoting common development, Hu said.

Enhanced cooperation is the common wish of the two peoples and is in the fundamental interests of both countries, he said.

Hu pledged to work with Gutierrez toward the long-term stable development of bilateral ties.

Gutierrez said in his message that bilateral ties are getting closer since the establishment of diplomatic relations 25 years ago. The two countries have had significant cooperation in science and technology, culture and trade.

The two countries have joined hands and supported each other in the pursuit of world peace and security, he said.

The Ecuadorian government is ready to further develop friendly ties with China, building on 25 years of friendship, said the president. He expressed confidence in the future development of ties.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his Ecuadorian counterpart, Patricio Zuquilanda, also exchanged greetings on the same occasion.

Source: Xinhua