China congratulates Germany on the official establishment of a new government under the leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao said in Beijing Wednesday.

Merkel was elected the first female chancellor in Germany on Tuesday by winning 397 votes from the 612 parliament members.

Liu said Premier Wen Jiabao has sent a congratulation message to Merkel for her assumption of office.

"Merkel said that the new government would carry on German government's positive policy toward China. We highly appreciate that," Liu said.

China and Germany have maintained sound relations over the past years, he said. During President Hu Jintao's state visit to Germany earlier this month, the two countries reached extensive consensus on expanding their cooperation in various fields, he said.

"China believes both itself and Germany are influential countries in the world and their respective regions, they have broad fields and great potentials of cooperation," he said.

China is willing to make joint efforts with Germany to further strengthen Sino-German ties, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2005)