China endorses Wolfowitz's nomination

China on Thursday said it will not object to the nomination of US deputy defence secretary Paul Wolfowitz as the new President of the World Bank and hoped that he will "listen" to the voices of the developing countries.

"No matter who will assume the presidency of the World Bank, we will be willing to work with him," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters when asked whether China will support Wolfowitz's nomination since he is well-known for his 'anti-China' stance.

Paul Wolfowitz to head World Bank

US Vice President Dick Cheney had a telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Zeng Qinghong on Wednesday night on Wolfowitz's nomination by US President George W Bush, Liu said.

"We believe that the World Bank as the most important international development agency plays an important role in the aid areas," the spokesman said, without revealing the content of Cheney-Zeng talk.

"We hope the new President will continue to contribute to international development and listen to the voices of developing countries and make even more contribution to international development and promote the sustained, balanced and healthy development of the world economy," he said.

China is willing to maintain contact and cooperation with various sides on this issue, the spokesman added.

Bush announced he would nominate Wolfowitz, who was one of the architects of the US invasion of Iraq, as president of the Bank to replace John Wolfensohn, who is stepping down on June 1 upon completion of his second five-year term.