Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, exchanged congratulatory messages Monday to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Hu said in the message that the bilateral ties have developed smoothly over the past 25 years, with fruitful cooperation in such fields as politics, economy and trade, culture and science.

The two sides have also had excellent cooperation in international affairs, Hu said.

China attaches great importance to developing friendly and cooperative relationship with Colombia, Hu added.

China stands ready to work together with Colombia to reinforce friendly exchanges and mutual cooperation in various fields, to further promote bilateral ties, and to contribute to regional and global peace and development.

Uribe, in his message, said the two peoples have reaped real benefits through strengthening political dialogue and increasing economic exchanges since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

He said Colombia will continue to maintain close cooperation with China as before and jointly infuse new vitality in bilateral ties.

On the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing sent a congratulatory message to his Colombian counterpart Maria Carolina Barco Isackson.