China is ready to join hands with India to further boost China-India strategic partnership, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao Thursday.

Liu told a regular press briefing Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing has sent congratulatory message to India's new Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

China is happy to see the progress of China-India ties, which is in the interests of both peoples, he said.

Regarding China and India as important developing countries, he said that to strengthen bilateral cooperation is essential to the region and the world at large.

This year marks a year of China-India friendship. The two countries have conducted lots of activities, and further enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, Liu said.

"We believe under the joint efforts of both sides, China-India strategic partnership will continue to make new progress," the spokesman said.