Chinese PM congratulates Aso on becoming Japanese PM

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-24 21:45

NEW YORK -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday extended his congratulations to newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso announces his cabinet members during his first news conference at his official residence in Tokyo September 24, 2008. [Agencies]

China and Japan are close neighbors and important nations in Asia and the world, Wen said in his congratulatory message to Aso.

Wen arrived in New York Tuesday morning to attend several United Nations meetings.

The development of stable and good-neighborly Sino-Japan ties is not only in keeping with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, but also conducive to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world, the Chinese leader said.

Wen expressed hope that both sides would make concerted efforts to advance the development of the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between China and Japan.

Also on Wednesday, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi sent a congratulatory message to Hirofumi Nakasone who has been appointed foreign minister in Japan's new cabinet.

Japan's legislature, the Diet, announced Wednesday that ruling Liberal Democratic Party chief Aso had been elected the nation's new prime minister.