国内英语新闻:China to work with Indian new gov't for closer partnership

BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday congratulated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on its victory in the Indian general election and voiced hope to work with the new government, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said in a written statement.

Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in the ministry's statement that China has always attached great importance to developing relations with India and the two countries' relations have maintained sound momentum of development over the recent years.

"China-India relations are facing new opportunities of development," she said, adding that China is willing to work with India's new government to maintain high-level visits, strengthen cooperation in all fields and upgrade their partnership to a higher level.

Hua made brief comment on the two nations' relations, saying that China and India have forged strategic cooperative partnership with joint efforts during the past decade, achieved tremendous progress in their cooperation and brought concrete benefits to the two peoples.

She also commended the Agreement on Political Guiding Principles for Resolving the Boundary Issue between China and India and said the two nations worked out a fair and reasonable solution which is acceptable for both sides.

"Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's efforts in promoting China-India relations have won the respect from the Chinese people," Hua said, emphasizing that China highly values Singh's devotion as well as Indian Congress party's contributions in advancing China-India relationship.

India's BJP has achieved its biggest victory in 30 years in the country's general election. The BJP's win spells an end to a decade ruled by the Indian National Congress.