On November 21, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao 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, President Hu said China has always attached great importance to its relations with the EU and supported the EU integration. China appreciates the EU's efforts to play a greater and more constructive role in international affairs, Hu said. He also expressed the wish that the China-EU all-round strategic partnership will further develop during the tenure of Van Rompuy.