President Hu Jintao on Tuesday exchanged messages with his Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Hu said the two countries have maintained close and friendly exchanges and carried out fruitful pragmatic cooperation since they forged diplomatic ties and especially since they established a strategic partnership in 2003.

The two countries have also maintained good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, he said, adding that bilateral relations between China and Mexico have been continuously strengthened.

The Chinese government is ready to work with the Mexican side to deepen their traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and promote comprehensive and in-depth development of the China-Mexico strategic partnership to achieve mutual benefits and to benefit the peoples of the two countries, the Chinese president said.

Calderon said in his message that, in the past four decades, both China and Mexico have been committed to improving bilateral ties and enriching their cooperation.

During the period, the two countries have established a strategic partnership, strengthened political dialogue and expanded trade and economic exchanges, he said.

The two countries have also frequently cooperated in multilateral and regional organizations and made joint efforts in promoting the multilateral system, consolidating world peace and security, promoting cooperation and development and in helping the world economy achieve robust and sustainable development, Calderon said.

He said China is an important strategic partner, and the Mexican government would adhere to the "one-China" principle and continue to contribute to strengthening China-Mexico strategic partnership.

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also exchanged congratulatory messages with his Mexican counterpart Patricia Espinosa.