Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa on Saturday exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Chinese President Hu said in his message that the past three decades have witnessed a smooth development of bilateral relations between China and Ecuador, more visits between high-level leaders of the two countries, expansion of two-way economic relations, trade and cooperation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges as well as mutual understanding and support in international affairs.

The Ecuadorian government has attached great importance to its relations with China and adhered to a "one China" policy, Hu said, adding that the Chinese government admired Ecuador's stance.

The Chinese president also observed that both China and Ecuador as developing countries are faced with the important task of developing their economies, improving people's livelihood and maintaining stability at home.

Hu said further developing stable and friendly cooperative relations between the two countries on the basis of quality and mutual benefit are in the fundamental interest of the two countries and peoples. Those relations are also beneficial to common progress and development.

The Chinese government has always paid great attention to Chinese-Ecuadorian relations, Hu said. Moreover, being on the threshold of a new historical period, China is willing to make joint efforts with Ecuador to further deepen bilateral exchange and cooperation in various fields to raise Chinese-Ecuadorian friendly cooperation and relations to a new and higher level.

In his message, Ecuadorian President Correa said the Ecuadorian and Chinese governments are willing to develop bilateral relations. Also, the peoples of the two countries are determined to further strengthen friendly cooperation and relations on the basis of mutual respect and maintaining common interests.

President Correa said the Ecuadorian government wants to promote cooperation between the two countries in various fields. In addition, it wants to strengthen cooperation in international and regional affairs of common concern to realize economic growth, sustainable development and people's well-being.