On May 22, 2003, Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered a condolence message to his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika over the powerful earthquake that hit the country.

Hu sent sincere condolences to President Bouteflika, the Algerian government and people, and extended deep sorrow to families of all the victims in the earthquake.

He expressed the belief that under the leadership of President Bouteflika, the Algerian government and people would overcome the difficulties caused by the disaster and rebuild their homeland with united efforts.

After learning about Chinese casualties in the earthquake, President Hu expressed sympathy to Chinese citizens in Algeria through the Foreign Ministry and asked the Chinese Embassy in Algeria to immediately confirm Chinese casualties in the earthquake and cooperate closely with the Algerian government in rescuing the injured and dealing with relevant affairs.