Chinese and Indonesian leaders have marked the 20th anniversary of dialogue relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao exchanged congratulations with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, president of Indonesia, which holds the ASEAN rotating presidency.

Wen outlined the progress of relations since China became ASEAN's dialogue partner in 1991, saying the two parties established a strategic partnership in 2003 and built the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area in 2010.

During the past 20 years, China and ASEAN had shown respect and treated each other equally and developed an all-round friendship and cooperation, which had brought great benefits to the Chinese and ASEAN people, Wen said.

Such mutually beneficial relations had promoted the economic and social development of both parties and made great contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity, Wen said.

Currently, ASEAN is sparing no effort to build a community while China is working to build a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. It was the two parties' common goal to realize sustainable development, which provided broad space for the future bilateral cooperation, Wen said.

China, as always, would be ASEAN's good neighbor, good friend and good partner and it was willing to work with ASEAN to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, Wen said.

Susilo said, since China and ASEAN established dialogue relations, the close and friendly bilateral cooperation, characterized by mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, had enjoyed comprehensive development.

China had made a great contribution to building the ASEAN community, he said.

Susilo said he believed the China-ASEAN strategic partnership would not only benefit the two peoples, but would contribute to the long-lasting peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia and the world.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan also exchanged congratulatory messages.

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