A reception was held in Beijing on Thursday to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the founding of China-India Friendship Association.

Addressing the occasion, Jiang Zhenghua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and president of the association, said the two countries enjoy traditional good-neighborly relations. Chinese President Hu Jintao's successful visit to India last year had further promoted bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation to a new stage.

The association, as one of the earliest diplomatic organizations founded in China, has sponsored lots of bilateral exchange programs which helped to cement the friendship between the two peoples, Jiang said.

Under the new circumstances, the association would carry out more activities in various forms in a bid to enhance mutual trust between the two countries, he added.

Indian ambassador to China Nirupama Rao vowed to work closely with the association to beef up bilateral personnel exchanges and strengthen cooperation in various fields.

Founded in May of 1952, the association aims to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and facilitate bilateral cooperation in diversified areas including politics, economy, trade and culture.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2007)