Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Saturday congratulated Manmohan Singh on taking office as India's prime minister and said China looks forward to working with his government to strengthen bilateral relations.

In a congratulatory message sent to Singh, Wen said, "I wish to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Government and in my own name, our sincere congratulations and best wishes to you."

Wen voiced his belief that under Singh's leadership, India will make new and greater achievements in economic growth and national development.

China and India have a long history of interactions. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the overall relations between the two countries have been generally moving forward over the past fifty-plus years.

At present, the Sino-Indian bilateral relationship faces important opportunities for further development.

"The friendship and cooperation between China and India not only accords with both sides' fundamental interests and the shared aspiration of the two peoples, but also contributes to peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large," Wen said.

"The Chinese side would like to work together with the new government of India under the guidance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence jointly initiated by our two countries so as to jointly and continuously push forward the long-term constructive cooperative partnership between China and India," said Wen.

Manmohan Singh was appointed India's next prime minister after Sonia Gandhi, the Italian-born leader of the country's most powerful political party, the Congress Party, turned down the job.

India's new coalition government was sworn in on Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2004)