On June 20, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao and President of Trinidad and Tobago George Maxwell Richards exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, President Hu said Trinidad and Tobago was one of the first Caribbean countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and bilateral relations have developed smoothly over the past 35 years. The two countries have frequent high-level exchanges and political mutual trust, and enjoy fruitful cooperation in the economic, trade and technological fields, Hu said. Understanding and friendship between the two peoples have been deepened, and the two countries have good coordination in dealing with international affairs, Hu said, adding that China appreciates Trinidad and Tobago's adherence to the one-China policy and positive efforts to develop ties with China.

Hu said Trinidad and Tobago is a major country in the Caribbean region, and China attaches importance to developing ties with it. China regards Trinidad and Tobago as a good friend and a good partner and is willing to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, culture and tourism in order to continuously enrich the bilateral ties and further promote the reciprocal friendly cooperative relations.

Richards said in his message that Trinidad and Tobago, as a co-sponsor country of the UNGA Resolution 2758, supported the restoration of lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations in 1979. Later, the two countries have closely cooperated in bilateral and multilateral fields to protect their interests, as well as the interests of all other countries. Richards said he believed relations between Trinidad and Tobago and China will be further enhanced.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also exchanged congratulatory messages with their counterparts from Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning and Paula Gopee-Scoon respectively.