Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir Wednesday exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Sudan.

Hu, in his message, said the bilateral ties have withstood various kinds of tests on the international stage and managed to see a smooth development since the two countries forged the ties half a century ago.

The two sides, depending on each other with sincerity and friendship, have engaged in full cooperation in all fields and produced significant fruits, said Hu, citing examples of their good communication and coordination on such multilateral issues as the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and the settlement of hot regional issues.

Noting both China and Sudan are developing countries, the Chinese president said enhancing the bilateral relationship, characterized by equality, mutual benefit, sincerity and friendship, plays a significant role in deepening South-South cooperation, seeking mutual development and boosting regional peace and stability.

It also benefits the efforts to develop the new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa as well as between China and the Arabic countries, said Hu.

China respects Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said, noting China also supports the African country's efforts to realize the national reconciliation, advance the peace process, develop national economy and improve the people's living standard.

The Chinese leader said China is willing to make joint efforts with Sudan to carry on their traditional friendship, boost pragmatic cooperation and push the friendly cooperation to a new high.

El-Bashir, in his message, hailed the time-honored and strong relations between Sudan and China, saying that Sudan was one of the first group of Arabic countries that established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China shortly after its founding in 1949.

The Sudanese government is satisfied with the development and progress of the bilateral ties in all fields, he said.

The Sudanese president said his government is willing to consolidate and strengthen the friendly cooperation between Sudan and China and tap all potential for cooperation to benefit both peoples.

(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2009)