On Dcemeber 26, 2004, President Hu Jintao sent messages to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, President Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam of India, President Chandrika Kumaratunga of Sri Lanka, President Shahabuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh, President Maumoon Abdull Gayoom of Maldives, King Bhumi Bol Adulyadej of Thailand and Supreme Head of State Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin of Malaysia, expressing sincere sympathy to the countries hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami which inflicted heavy casualties and property loss and offering deep condolences to the victims on behalf of the Chinese government and people. In the messages, he expressed the confidence that the governments and people of those countries would be able to overcome the disaster and difficulty to rebuild their homes.

Following the occurrence of the disaster, President Hu Jintao immediately instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to gather information from those countries and help rescue besieged Chinese citizens.