On November 21, 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a message to Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy to congratulate him on his election as the first Permanent European Council President.

In the message, Wen expressed his wishes that the EU integration will continue to make progress. Wen also said he is ready to work with EU leaders to bring into full play the strategic leading role of China-EU summits, enhance pragmatic cooperation in various sectors, join hands to tackle global challenges and further promote the China-EU all-round strategic partnership to a higher level.