·Hu Jintao on Saturday sent a message to Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy.
·Hu congratulated Rompuy on his election as full-time president of the EU.

·China has always attached great importance to its relations with the EU.

    BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday sent a message to Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy to congratulate him on his election as full-time president of the European Union (EU).

    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.

    Van Rompuy was unanimously elected on Thursday to become the first full-time EU president.

Chinese premier congratulates Rompuy on election as full-time EU president

   BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday sent a message to Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy to congratulate him on his election as full-time president of the European Union (EU).

   In the message, Wen expressed his wishes that the EU integration will continue to make progress. Full story

Rompuy chosen as EU president, Ashton as foreign policy chief

    BRUSSELS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy Thursday was unanimously elected as the first full-time president of the European Union and Britain's EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton as foreign policy chief of the 27-nation bloc.

Belgium's Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy attends a press conference after an EU summit at the EU Council headquarters in Brussels, capital of Belgium, Nov. 19, 2009. Van Rompuy was elected the first full-time EU President during an extraordinary summit in Brussels Thursday. (Xinhua/Thierry Monasse) Photo Gallery>>>

    Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, announced the appointment at a press conference held after a working dinner of leaders of the 27 member states.Full story

Obama congratulates Belgium's Van Rompuy on election as EU President

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday congratulated Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy on his election as European Union's first president, saying the United States is looking forward to working closely with EU to address common challenges.

    The Belgian prime minister on Thursday was unanimously elected as the first full-time EU president and Britain's EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton as foreign policy chief of the 27- nation bloc.Full story