China on Tuesday voiced the hope of working with Japan to push forward the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, following the election of Taro Aso as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) a day earlier.

"To keep a healthy and stable relationship with Japan fulfills the common interests of both countries and peoples," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a regular briefing.

"China is willing to make joint efforts with Japan based on the principles set out in four political documents between the two countries to fully carry out the consensus reached by their leaders," she said.

Aso had a landslide victory in the LDP presidential election on Monday. He is certain to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda due to the ruling coalition's strength in the more powerful of the two houses of Japan's parliament.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2008)