In his message to Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said China and the Maldives have enjoyed a long history of friendship and the past 30 years have witnessed the healthy and smooth development of bilateral ties on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Jiang said China will work together with the Maldives to further promote the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

In his message, Gayoom said the 30th anniversary is an important milestone in the sincere and friendly relations of cooperation between the Maldives and China.

China has made significant contributions to the social and economic development of the Maldives and is a worthy friend of the Maldives, Gayoom added.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Maldivian counterpart Fathulla Jameel also exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion.

(China Daily October 14, 2002 )