China greets new Pakistan PM Raja Pervez Ashraf; pledges close partnership

BEIJING: China today greeted Pakistan's new Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, pledging a closer partnership with Pakistan and measures to strengthen their "all-weather friendship".

"As a close and friendly neighbour of Pakistan, we will firmly support its efforts to realise social stability and to boost national development and economic and social progress," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said, congratulating Ashraf on his election.

"We are willing to continue strengthening our all-weather partnership with Pakistan," the spokesman told at a regular press briefing.

Ashraf replaced Yousuf Raza Gilani as Pakistan's Prime Minister after the country's apex court disqualified the latter for his contempt of court conviction.