Chinese President Hu Jintao and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia exchanged congratulatory messages Wednesday to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

President Hu said the Sino-Saudi relationship had seen comprehensive development.

"The Chinese government and its people have always viewed the bilateral links from a strategic perspective," he said.

"As the international community is undergoing complex and profound transformations, it is in the fundamental interests of both Chinese and Saudi people and a benefit to world peace, stability and development to strengthen and consolidate Sino-Saudi relations, properly deal with issues in hot spots, and meet various common challenges," Hu said.

"I would like to join hands with Your Majesty to continue increasing political mutual trust, expand cooperation in all fields and advance Sino-Saudi strategic friendship to a higher level," he said.

King Abdullah highly commended the development of Sino-Saudi strategic friendship and cooperation in all sectors, adding that his country would like to advance bilateral relations to an even higher level to benefit the people of the two countries.

On the same day, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory letters with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.

Xi said the two countries had witnessed ever-expanding cooperation in such fields as politics, trade, energy and culture as well as a deepened mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples in the past 20 years.

He also said China would like to take the anniversary as an opportunity to work with Saudi Arabia to deepen cooperation and promote greater achievement.

The Crown Prince Sultan said he expected to deepen the bilateral ties so that it could bring more benefits to the two countries and two peoples.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also exchanged greetings with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saud Al Faisal, on Wednesday.