BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of China and Fiji on Thursday exchanged messages to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In a message to Fijian President Epeli Nailatikau, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Fiji have maintained mutual respect, mutual trust, friendly communication and mutually beneficial cooperation over the past 40 years.
Xi said the two countries agreed during his visit last year to establish a strategic partnership based on mutual respect and common development, and China is willing work with Fiji to promote dialogue, communication and cooperation in various fields so as to lift the China-Fiji relations to a higher level and bring more benefits to the two countries and the two peoples.
Noting that there is great potential for the development of bilateral ties, Bainimarama said that Fiji stands ready to consolidate common interests and explore new development opportunities with China so as to further advance the development of bilateral ties.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in a message to his Fijian counterpart Voreqe Bainimarama that the last 40 years have seen deepened political trust, fruitful results of practical cooperation and good coordination in regional and world affairs between China and Fiji, and the development of bilateral ties has brought concrete benefits to the people of both countries.
Calling the 40th anniversary a milestone, Bainimarama said Fiji is willing to work with China to promote cooperation in a broad range of areas.
Fiji was the first Pacific island country to forge diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.