Jiang said in a message that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields have been expanding and mutual understanding and friendship between their two peoples have been deepening.

He said the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Italy, both of them countries with ancient civilizations, will not only be in keeping with the interests of the two peoples, but also be conducive to world peace and development.

He added that China is ready to work with Italy to tap potentials for future cooperation between the two countries so as to make greater strides in bilateral relations in the coming new century.

In his message of congratulations, Ciampi pledged efforts to further bilateral relations and expressed the hope that the two countries would work together to meet the challenge of globalization and shoulder the responsibility for maintaining peace and development of the world.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Italian counterpart, Lamberto Dini, also exchanged congratulations on the occasion and they shared the hope that bilateral relations will grow.

(Xinhua 11/06/2000)