Chinese President Hu Jintao and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki exchanged congratulatory messages on Sunday to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Hu said in his message that the friendly and cooperative connections between the two sides have experienced sound, steady development in the past 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, despite changes in the international political arena and the respective situation in the two countries.

The two countries have always been supportive of each other on issues concerning their vital interests and have cooperated closely in the fields of trade, culture, education, health care and tourism. The friendship between the two peoples has always been growing, Hu said.

In recent years, there have been frequent exchanges of high-level visits and further strengthening of political trust between the two sides, with bilateral ties taking a new all-round way development momentum.

It conforms to the fundamental aspirations and interests of the two peoples to deepen their friendly cooperation, Hu said. He said China is ready to expand communications and mutually beneficial cooperation with Kenya to enhance bilateral ties in an all-round way.

In his letter, Kibaki said China was among the first countries to recognize the independence of Kenya and establish a diplomatic mission in Nairobi.

Since then, the two countries have made significant progress in promoting political dialogue, enhancing investment, trade, tourism and business.

On behalf of the Kenyan people, Kibaki thanked China for its general assistance to his country, particularly in such areas as infrastructure, agriculture, health, education and human resource development.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation also provided a new platform for the two sides to consolidate their cooperation, he said.

Kenya, which attaches great importance to relations with China, is ready to work with China to further deepen and expand their existing friendly ties, he said.

On the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Kenyan counterpart Moses Wetangula also exchanged congratulatory messages.

(Xinhua News Agency December 14, 2008)