BEIJING - Chinese and Mongolian leaders exchanged congratulatory messages Tuesday on the 20th anniversary of a key treaty in the two countries' relations.

In a message to his Mongolian counterpart Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between Mongolia and China, revised and signed on April 29, 1994, pointed bilateral ties in the right direction for development from a strategic height and long-term perspective.

The treaty made clear a fundamental principle for the two sides' mutually beneficial social, political and economic cooperation, and declared their determination and confidence in building a relationship of good neighbors, friends and partners from generation to generation, Xi said.

It had become an important guarantee for China-Mongolia ties to continue to make new achievements over the past two decades, he said.

Xi said 2014 also marked the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and had been designated the China-Mongolia Friendship and Exchange Year.

"I attach great importance to the development of China-Mongolia relations," Xi said. "The Chinese side is willing to work with Mongolia to push forward the China-Mongolia strategic partnership for new and greater progress to better benefit the two countries and peoples."

In a message to Mongolian Prime Minister Noroviin Altanhuyag, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the treaty had laid an important political and legal foundation for the development of the two countries' friendly relations and cooperation.

Guided by the treaty, China and Mongolia continuously enhanced mutual political trust and deepened exchanges in such fields as trade, economy and humanity over the past 20 years, Li said.

Elbegdorj and Altanhuyag said Mongolia was willing to make concerted efforts with China to accelerate the all-round development of the two countries' strategic partnership.

The further development of bilateral relations would help boost the two peoples' well-being, they said.

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also exchanged congratulatory messages with his Mongolian counterpart, Luvsanvandan Bold.