China congratulated Foreign Minister of Republic of Korea (ROK) Ban Ki-moon on being elected the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao. "It is Asian nations' common aspiration and honor to have an Asian as UN Secretary-General again 35 years later," said Liu.

Liu said China believed the United Nations would continue to exert important effects on constructing a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity in Ban's term. China will go on to support and cooperate with the UN secretary-general, the spokesman said.