Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Mauritanian counterpart Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Hu said the peoples of the two countries have enjoyed profound traditional friendship. In the 40 years, the bilateral relationship developed smoothly through the efforts of the two countries.

The friendly relationship between China and Mauritania sets a good example for developing countries in terms of coexisting in harmony and mutually beneficial cooperation as their exchanges and cooperation have been fruitful in the fields of politics, economy and trade, culture and education, Hu said.

China and Mauritania support each other and act in close coordination in international affairs, Hu said.

He also said in the new historical condition, China will joint hands with Mauritania to carry on and develop the traditional friendship and push their mutually beneficial cooperation further to open up a new and more prosperous prospect for the friendly cooperation between the countries and peoples.

For his part, President Taya said Mauritania will as always remain committed to the strengthening and development of its relationship with China.

The two friendly countries are always advocates of the principles of peace, security and justice in international relations and this will be kept on as the solid cornerstone for their special relations, Taya said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also exchanged congratulatory messages with their respective counterparts on Tuesday.

Source: Xinhua