Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a congratulatory message Thursday to Vladimir Putin on his election as Russia's prime minister.

Wen spoke highly of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation and praised Putin for his contribution to the promotion of bilateral ties.

The Chinese premier said that he is ready to work with Putin to expand and deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in various fields, consolidate the foundation of bilateral ties and promote the strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia to a higher level.

Russia's lower house of the parliament, the State Duma, approved Vladimir Putin as Russia's new prime minister earlier in the day.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2008)