BEIJING, April 26 -- Chinese and Lao leaders have exchanged congratulations on the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and vowed to enhance practical cooperation.

In a joint message dated Monday, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chinese president; Li Keqiang, the premier; and Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, described China and Laos as friendly neighbors whose traditional friendship has withstood the test of changing international and domestic situations.

In the new century, the relationship between the two countries has witnessed further development, becoming a model of friendly nation-to-nation relations, says the message.

The Chinese side attaches great importance to its friendship with Laos and is willing to work with the Lao side to enhance friendly exchanges, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, promote the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation so as to benefit the two countries and peoples, it says.

In their joint message, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and President of the National Assembly Pany Yathotou said that bilateral cooperation between Laos and China in many fields has achieved fruitful results in the past 55 years, especially in the construction of the China-Laos railway and a satellite launch.

Laos is willing to work with China to enhance mutual trust and push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in order to bring tangible benefits for the two peoples, says the message.