On May 20, 2012, Chinese President Hu Jintao exchanged congratulatory messages with his East Timorese counterpart Taur Matan Ruak to mark the 10th anniversary of East Timor's independence and the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his message, Hu said that as a newly-born country, East Timor has effectively safeguarded national peace and stability, set up and improved government framework, actively promoted economic development and strived for improvement in people's livelihood. In its foreign relations, East Timor is committed to being integrated into the Asian family and developing friendly relations with other countries. The Chinese government and people are very glad about the positive progress made by East Timor in its nation-building.

Since they established diplomatic relations 10 years ago, the two sides have respected each other and treated each other as equals in the political field and offered mutual help to promote common development in the economic area, he said. Both sides have also expanded exchanges to build up the friendship in the cultural sector. China attaches great importance to its good-neighborly ties with East Timor and will, as always, support its endeavor for nation building and development, he said. China will continue to adhere to its foreign policy of being a good friend and partner with neighboring countries and work with East Timor to jointly carry forward their good-neighborly and friendly relations, the Chinese president said.

Ruak, for his part, said that China is assuming an increasingly influential position in the international arena. As the sole Asian nation that serves as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China plays a constructive and responsible role in international affairs, he said. China has actively responded to global environmental protection and other issues and achieved positive results which were impressive. As the leader of the developing countries, China will play an active role in responding to global challenges. East Timor and China have respected each other and their cooperation in various fields has been fruitful in the past decade, said Ruak. He said the bilateral friendship has made substantial progress, voicing his full confidence in the future development of bilateral ties.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao exchanged congratulatory messages with East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

In his message, Wen said that China-East Timor relations have served as a good example of equality and mutually beneficial cooperation between big and small countries. Historical facts have shown that friendly cooperation between the two nations is in the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples, he said. China cherishes its traditional friendship with East Timor and attaches importance to developing bilateral long-term and stable good-neighborly friendly cooperation. China is ready to continue to deepen bilateral pragmatic cooperation and achieve new and greater development of bilateral relations.

Gusmao said in the message that this year is of special significance in the history of East Timor-China relations and the deep friendship and close ties between the two countries have gone through 10 years. East Timor attaches great importance to its ties with China and China's development aid has made great contributions to his country. The two sides have continuously strengthened cooperation in areas such as agriculture, health and safety and have kept closer economic and trade relations. As its national development will soon enter the second decade, East Timor is glad to have such a good friend and good partner like China. East Timor thanks China for its support. Gusmao expressed the hope that the friendly links between the two nations will be further advanced and consolidated.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also exchanged congratulatory messages with his East Timorese counterpart Zacarias da Costa.