Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and British Prime Minister David Cameron exchanged congratulatory messages Tuesday to mark the 40th anniversary of full diplomatic ties.

In his message, Wen noted that the China-Britain relationship has stood various tests in the ever-changing international arena since the two sides established ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations 40 years ago.

With bilateral cooperation further broadening and deepening, the China-Britain comprehensive strategic partnership has now become increasingly mature, he added.

The two countries, Wen said, have also established a variety of high-level dialogue channels and consultation mechanisms, with their cooperation on bilateral and global affairs reaching unprecedented levels and their interaction enjoying more public support.

Noting that the international situation is undergoing profound changes and the international community is facing increasing common challenges, Wen said China and Britain, as two permanent members of the UN Security Council and major players on the world stage, shoulder momentous responsibility and meantime have extensive shared interests.

Beijing, the Chinese premier said, is ready to work together with London to further enhance mutual political trust and expand bilateral cooperation so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and promote global prosperity and stability.

Cameron, for his part, said that the Britain-China relationship has grown in strength and breadth over the past 40 years and that he looks forward to many more years of close cooperation between the two countries.

Citing the inaugural Anglo-Chinese People-to-People Dialogue and the 2012 Summer Olympics, both to be held in Britain later this year, Cameron said "I believe this will provide a unique opportunity to raise our educational and cultural links to a new level."

"This is very important, both for us today, and for future generations," the British prime minister continued in his message.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2012)