BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan exchanged congratulatory messages on Friday as the two nations celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The China-Armenia relationship has maintained a sound and smooth development over the past 20 years with ever deepening mutual understanding, as well as fruitful cooperation in trade, investment, communication, agriculture, technology and culture, said Hu.

The two nations have also actively engaged in consultation and coordination on international and regional affairs, which has substantially protected their common interests, he added.

The Chinese president also said China would like to take the anniversary as an opportunity to further consolidate the foundation for bilateral cooperation, strengthen political exchanges, and promote pragmatic cooperation so as to further step up bilateral ties.

For his part, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said that with the joint efforts of the two countries over the past two decades, bilateral cooperation has been constantly increased in politics, trade, industry, technology, defense, culture, education and sports.

Developing a friendly partnership with China has always been one of Armenia's diplomatic priorities, said Sargsyan, adding that his country speaks highly of China's principled stance in safeguarding world peace.

He said Armenia would like to continue to work with China within the framework of international institutions and promote bilateral ties to a new level for the benefit of the two peoples.

The foreign ministers of the two countries also on Friday exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the anniversary.