Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday sent a message to Naoto Kan to congratulate him on his election as Japanese prime minister.

"China and Japan are important close neighbors to each other and important countries in Asia and the world. The development of stable, long-term good neighborly relations between them is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples and is conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world at large," the Chinese premier said.

Wen noted that his recent visit to Japan was a big success, which helped make new progress in the development of bilateral ties. He said China is willing to work together with Japan to implement in real earnest the important consensuses the two countries have reached and push forward the strategic relations of mutual benefit in line with the principles laid down by the four important political documents concerning bilateral relations.

Kan was voted in as prime minister by the lower house of Japanese parliament on Friday afternoon to succeed Yukio Hatoyama. 

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China congratulates new Japanese prime minister

China on Friday congratulated Naoto Kan on his election as prime minister of Japan, saying China was ready to work with Japan to further bilateral ties.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a press release that Naoto Kan on many occasions had said he attached great importance to developing the Japan-China relations, which China appreciated. Full story