Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent Mikhail Fradkov a congratulatory message on his appointment as Russia's prime minister on Wednesday.

In the message, Premier Wen expressed his sincere congratulation to Fradkov and voiced his willingness to work together with Fradkov to further promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Russia's State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, voted by 356 to 72 with eight abstentions on Wednesday to approve the candidacy of Mikhail Fradkov as the prime minister.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2004)