Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday congratulated the Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta and the country's people on the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Southeast Asian nation.

In his message, Hu said, "under the leadership of the Timor-Leste government, the people have strived to overcome various difficulties and made progress in rebuilding the nation's economy and society."

Hu noted that he believes President Ramos-Horta will lead the people of Timor-Leste to a better future.

As this year also marks the fifth anniversary of Sino-Timor-Leste ties, "the political and economic cooperation between the two sides as well as cooperation in other areas has turned out some satisfactory results," said the Chinese president. He added that he is willing to make joint efforts with Ramos-Horta in a bid to promote the two nations' friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also sent his congratulations and good wishes to his Timor-Leste counterpart Jose Luis Guterres.

Ramos-Horta was elected president in the second round of Timor Leste's general elections on May 9.