Chinese President Hu Jintao has extended congratulations to Vladimir Putin, who was sworn in on Monday as Russian president, said a Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Spokesman Hong Lei said the Chinese side believes the Russian people will make greater achievements in the process of national development.

As each other's largest neighbor and most important strategic cooperation partner, China and Russia are experiencing unprecedented good relations, Hong said at a press briefing Monday in Beijing.

The two countries' leaders have reached important consensus, such as to prioritize and maintain the development of bilateral ties, and bolster the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, he said.

With the joint efforts from both sides, such a partnership will achieve new progress, benefit the two countries and the peoples, as well as contribute more to regional and world peace, security and stability, Hong said.