President Hu Jintao and Chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council Than Shwe exchanged congratulatory messages Wednesday on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. 

China and Myanmar are close neighbors and the two peoples enjoy profound "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship between them, Hu said in his message, adding that Myanmar was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China after its founding in 1949.

Having stood the test of constant change of events on the international arena and experienced the changing situation in each other's country over the past 55 years, the bilateral relationship, growing under the guidance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, has maintained its vitality all along, Hu said.

He said China values the traditional friendship between the two countries and stands ready to work together with Myanmar to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and further promote the all-round development of the good-neighborly relations of cooperation in the new century.

China and Myanmar should always remain good neighbors, good friends and good partners, said Hu.

For his part, the Myanmar leader said the friendly cooperation with China has been increased steadily since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Myanmar sincerely wishes to continue the close coordination with China, said Than Shwe, adding that the 55th anniversary celebration will bring the Paukphaw friendship between the two countries to a new height.

Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice President Zeng Qinghong and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also exchanged congratulatory messages with their respective Myanmar counterparts on Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2005)