China welcomes new Indian govt

China is welcoming the new Indian government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it wants to strengthen the sometimes troubled relationship between the two Asian giants. Top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi met with India's ambassador to Beijing on Tuesday to assure him of the "high importance" China attaches to ties, the official Xinhua News agency reported. China is "ready to work with the new Indian government to maintain high-level contact, strengthen cooperation and communication in all areas, keep the good momentum in developing bilateral ties, and contribute to the peace and progress of Asia and the world," Yang, a state councillor and former foreign minister, was quoted as telling Ashok Kumar Kantha, according to a news agency.