Chinese and Malaysian leaders exchanged congratulatory messages Monday to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

In a message to his Malaysian counterpart Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, Chinese President Hu Jintao said the two countries are close neighbors friendly to each other and our two peoples enjoy a profound traditional friendship.

Over the past 30 years, China-Malaysia relations have been making substantial progress and the bilateral cooperation has been growing in all fields, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region, Hu said.

China values its traditional friendship with Malaysia and attaches great importance to developing bilateral relations, and wishes to make joint efforts with Malaysia to promote greater progress of their good-neighborly relations and cooperation on all fronts, President Hu said.

In his message to Hu, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said he hoped the close bilateral ties will be further strengthened in the years ahead.

In a message to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said China-Malaysia relations have maintained a momentum of healthy and stable growth over the past 30 years under the guidance of the five principles of peaceful co-existence.

Our two countries enjoy mutual trust in the political field, expanding cooperation in economic, trade, cultural, educational and other areas, and good coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, Wen said.

The Chinese government is willing to strive for a better future of China-Malaysia relations with the Malaysian government, Wen said.

In a message to Wen, Badawi expressed his wish for the everlasting peace, progress and prosperity of China.

The bilateral relations have "flourished and grown from strength to strength" since the establishment of diplomatic ties on May 31, 1974, Badawi said.

The strong bonds of friendship have also been reinforced by exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries, he noted. The warm and substantive relationship will be further deepened, he said.

On the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his Malaysian counterpart Syed Hamid Albar also exchanged greetings on the anniversary.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2004)