On May 7, 2012, President Hu Jintao congratulated Francois Hollande on his victory in the French presidential election.

The long-time friendship and cooperation between China and France conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples and also is significant to safeguarding and promoting global peace, stability and development, Hu said in a congratulatory message. China and France, both members of the United Nations Security Council and world major economies, enjoy broad common interests and shoulder vital responsibilities on major issues concerning safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, Hu said. China always views its relations with France from a strategic and long-term perspective, the Chinese president said. He said China is willing to work with France in the spirit of mutual respect, equal friendship and win-win cooperation to advance a mature and stable comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual trust and mutual benefits and with a global perspective in order to benefit both countries and the world at large.