President Hu Jintao and his US counterpart George W. Bush exchanged congratulatory messages yesterday to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Thousands of peace doves were released in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square at dawn yesterday as the national flag was raised on the first morning of 2009.

The establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the US on Jan 1, 1979, "is a milestone in our relations and has had a significant and profound impact on the world landscape," Hu said in his message.