Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu has expressed China's congratulations to newly elected Pakistani President Asif al-Zardari.

"China congratulates Zardari for being elected Pakistani president, and believes that under the leadership of the new government, Pakistan will continue to maintain social stability and economic development, and the China-Pakistan strategic partnership of cooperation will make new progress."

Zardari was sworn in as Pakistani president at a ceremony in Islamabad on Tuesday for a five-year term.