China on Tuesday congratulated former U.S. deputy secretary of state Robert Zoellick on his election as president of World Bank.

"We hope relations between World Bank and China continue to develop under the leadership of Zoellick," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a routine press conference.

Qin's remarks came in response to questions concerning Zoellick's election as new president of World Bank.

Qin said China hoped Zoellick could enable the World Bank to carry out its duties and responsibilities, contributing to the international cause of development and poverty eradication.

Zoellick, U.S. President Bush's nominee for president of the World Bank, received the unanimous approval of the World Bank's board on June 25 to succeed Paul Wolfowitz, who was forced to resign amid a scandal over favors. He will start his five-year term on July 1.

As Bush's first trade chief, Zoellick, 53, played a leading role in efforts to revive the Doha round of world trade talks. He later served as deputy secretary of state and has widespread experience of and high-level contacts in Europe, China, Latin America and Africa.

He left the government last year to join investment bank Goldman Sachs.

Source: Xinhua