Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu Tuesday expressed China's congratulation to newly elected Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

"China congratulates Zardari for being elected Pakistani president, and believes that under the leadership of the Pakistani government, Pakistan will continue to maintain social stability and economic development, and the China-Pakistan strategic partnership of cooperation will make new progress," Jiang told a regular press conference.

Chinese President Hu Jintao last Sunday extended his sincere congratulations and well wishes to Zardari on being elected Pakistani president.

The Election Commission of Pakistan last Saturday evening announced the official result of the presidential election and declared People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Zardari as the new president.

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2008)