On January 30, 2012, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Moldovan acting President Marian Lupu exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Hu said bilateral ties between the two nations have maintained a sound momentum of steady development since the two sides established diplomatic ties 20 years ago. Hu said high-level exchanges between China and Moldova have been close, and practical cooperation between the two nations has been constantly enhanced. He also said that the social foundation of bilateral ties has been increasingly consolidated and that the China-Moldova friendship has become increasingly important to both peoples. Hu said the two nations have worked well together to safeguard common interests in dealing with international and regional issues. China has attached great importance to its ties with Moldova and is willing to take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties to further promote mutual political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation and consolidate the traditional friendship in a bid to bring China-Moldova ties to a new high, the Chinese president said.

For his part, Lupu said Moldova and China have treated each other with mutual respect and as friends since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The two sides have carried out constructive dialogues, and the close high-level exchanges have been a powerful boost to bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, as well as in the social and cultural sectors, Lupu said. He said Moldova is willing to work with China and take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties to comprehensively summarize experience on development of bilateral relations and jointly push forward bilateral ties so as to benefit both nations and peoples.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also exchanged congratulatory messages with Iurie Leanca, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration on the same day.