BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday welcomed the swearing-in of Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister of the united government of Zimbabwe.

    Two of Tsvangirai's deputies were also sworn in.

    "This indicates that substantial progress has been achieved in Zimbabwe's political reconciliation process," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference in response to a question.

    This is of great significance to help thoroughly solve the Zimbabwean issue in a political form, Jiang said, expressing congratulations on the swearing-in of the three leaders in the united government comprising the ruling Zanu-PF and opposition MDC-T and MDC-M.

    Jiang spoke highly of the positive efforts made by Africa, especially by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to settle the Zimbabwean issue.

    China hoped that all concerned parties in Zimbabwe would continue working together to achieve the smooth establishment of the new government which leads the Zimbabwean people away from current difficulties and back to the track of stability and development, she noted.

    Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday swore in the main opposition MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister along with his two deputies in a united government, ending months of power sharing negotiations with the opposition.

    The new prime minister said in his first public address that the transitional government would prioritize democratization, deal with the humanitarian crisis arising from a cholera outbreak and the food crisis.