BEIJING - Chinese leaders on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages with their Laotian counterparts to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

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In a joint message, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo, and Premier Wen Jiabao told Laotian leaders that the China-Laos friendly ties, set up and nurtured by leaders of older generations on both sides, have stood many tests caused by changes both in the international arena and in their own countries.

The friendly ties have grown increasingly popular and have been promoted continuously, the Chinese leaders said in the message to Lao President Choummaly Sayasone, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou, and Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong.

The two peoples have extended constant mutual support and forged deep friendship in their long-term revolutionary struggles and socialist construction efforts, Hu, Wu and Wen said, calling the China-Laos friendship a model of its kind.

The Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese government and the Chinese people highly value their friendship with Laos, the Chinese leaders said, adding China is willing to work with the Laotian side to enhance friendly contact and cooperation, promote common development so as to open up a new prospect for the development of bilateral ties.

For their part, the three Laotian leaders expressed in their joint message their gratitude for China's brotherly support and help in Laos' revolution and modernization drives.

Laos always values its traditional friendship with China, and is ready to join hands with the Chinese side to continue cementing and pushing forward bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, in a bid to safeguard the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and contribute to the peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large.

China established diplomatic relations with Laos on April 25, 1961.