China extended sincere congratulations to newly reelected Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese Foreign Minister Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in Beijing Monday.

Ma made the remarks when asked to comment on the prime minister's reelection. He said China attached great importance to the development of the bilateral relationship, noting that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had sent a congratulatory message to Singh.

Ma said China would work with the new Indian government to steer the strategic partnership toward peace and prosperity in a sustained, stable and sound way.

India's new Congress-led government was sworn in last Friday for a second five-year term, with Singh taking the oath as prime minister, along with 19 others as cabinet ministers.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2009)