On May 7, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a congratulatory message to Jacob Zuma on his election as president of South Africa.

In his message, the Chinese president said since the birth of New South Africa in 1994, the country has enjoyed the political stability, national reconciliation, social and economic progress, as well as continuously improved international status under the leadership of the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC). The ANC's success and Zuma's election have shown the South African people's "approval of the ANC's achievements in leading the country" and their "high trust in and support for the president himself," Hu said.

Both being important developing countries and each other's strategic partner, China and South Africa shoulder the great responsibilities of maintaining peace, promoting development, improving people's livelihood and building the country. Both sides share a lot of common grounds and interests in regional and international affairs, he said. Hu expressed his readiness to work with Zuma in the new situation in enhancing the all-round cooperation between their two countries to face up to various global challenges, realize mutual benefit and common development, and contribute to the building of a harmonious world of long-lasting peace and common prosperity.