BEIJING - China is willing to promote the stable and healthy development of Sino-British relations with the new United Kingdom coalition government, said a Foreign Ministry spokesman Thursday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu made the remarks at a routine press briefing in response to a question on China's expectations of Sino-British ties after the Conservative-Liberal Democrat administration took power.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao congratulated Conservative Party leader David Cameron on becoming Britain's 52nd prime minister in a telephone conversation late Wednesday.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang sent a letter of congratulation to British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, while Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also sent a letter of congratulation to British Foreign Secretary William Hague.

China attached great importance to the development of Sino-British ties, which benefited both nations and world peace, stability and prosperity, Ma said.

He said China was ready to work with Britain to deepen pragmatic cooperation and push forward the stable and sound development of ties.

Cameron's predecessor, Gordon Brown, stepped down Tuesday after the May 6 general elections resulted in a "hung parliament," which meant Cameron will be heading Britain's first coalition government in 65 years.