On April 25, 2012, Chinese President Hu Jintao congratulated Taur Matan Ruak on his election as new president of Timor-Leste.

In his congratulatory message, Hu said China and Timor-Leste have made remarkable progress in bilateral ties ever since the two countries established diplomatic relations 10 years ago. He said exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in many fields are fruitful and the two sides have coordinated with each other on both international and regional issues. China attaches importance to the development of good-neighborly relations with Timor-Leste, and has offered support to its efforts in promoting social and economic development, the Chinese leader said. Hu expressed his hope that he and Ruak can further cement the traditional friendly ties, expand pragmatic cooperation and lift bilateral good-neighborly and friendly relations to a new level.