Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba exchanged congratulatory messages Monday to mark the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

"Over the past two decades, the political mutual trust and cooperation in various fields between the two countries have been greatly strengthened thanks to frequent high-level exchanges between China and Namibia," Hu said.

The two nations also showed mutual understanding and support on major issues of common concern, and coordinated closely on international and regional affairs, he said.

Hu expressed his willingness to deepen traditional friendship and practical cooperation between the two countries, which are in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and will serve to promote the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.

"China is ready to work with Namibia to push bilateral relations of friendly cooperation to a new high," he added.

In his message, Pohamba said that during the last 20 years, bilateral relations between Namibia and China have developed intensively with enormous strides, with more frequent exchanges of high-level visits and increased trade and investments.

The two countries also "witnessed closer economic and technological partnership, increase in educational and cultural cooperation, and good coordination on multilateral issues," he added.

Pohamba also reiterated Namibia's adherence to the one-China policy, and his country's support for China's efforts in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity to achieve its reunification.

On the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also exchanged greetings with his Namibian counterpart.