Foreign heads of states and political leaders have sent their congratulations to China Radio International on the eve of its 65th birthday.

Sunday marks the 65th anniversary of the Chinese People's overseas broadcasting cause and the establishment of China Radio International.

Leaders include French President Jacques Chirac, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Romanian President Traian Basescu, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who also chairs the rotating presidency of the ASEAN (Association of Southeastern Asian Nations) and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, among others.

The leaders praised China Radio International, or CRI, for its achievements in the past 65 years, while expressing the hope that CRI will make greater contributions to the strengthening of understanding between China and the world.

Meanwhile, overseas media organizations, renowned figures and listeners around the globe have extended their congratulations to CRI.

Among them were major radio stations, including Deutsche Welle Radio, Radio France Internationale, Voice of Russia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation and European Broadcasting Center.