The Chinese and Brazilian presidents exchanged congratulatory messages Sunday to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

In a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday, Chinese President Hu Jintao discussed the two nations' cooperation and achievements in such fields as politics, economy and trade, science and technology, culture, and international affairs since the establishment of their diplomatic relations 30 years ago.

The establishment of their strategic partnership is among the most notable accomplishments, he indicated.

"Your state visit to China in May this year was fully successful in comprehensively furthering relations," Hu said.

Both China and Brazil are major developing countries, he said. Against the background of a multipolar world and the accelerated development of economic globalization, strengthening and deepening Sino-Brazilian strategic cooperation benefits both countries' development, helps to safeguard the legal rights of developing countries, and assists in the establishment of a fair and reasonable international political and economic order.

The 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations is an opportunity to bring the Sino-Brazilian strategic partnership to a new level and display the nations' ties as a good example of new-style relations between developing countries, Hu said.

In his letter to Hu, the Brazilian President -- known as "Lula" in his home country -- said that on the basis of mutual respect of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, Sino-Brazilian relations have been strengthened.

Political dialogue between the two countries has been good and bilateral cooperation has progressed smoothly, Lula noted. Mutual understanding and common ground in international affairs have developed steadily.

Lula said the Brazilian government considers the harmonious development of friendly relations between the two governments and the two peoples a matter of great importance. He believes that the two countries' strategic partnership will grow stronger.

Also on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim exchanged congratulatory messages.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2004)