China congratulates Ban as new UN secretary general

BEIJING—China congratulated United Nation Secretary General-elect Ban Ki-Moon Saturday and pledged to actively work with the South Korean official.
"China congratulates South Korean Foreign Minister, Ban Ki-Moon, as the next general secretary of the United Nations," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. "It has been 35 years since an Asian has served as the UN secretary general, this is the realization of the common aspirations of Asian nations and is a common honor for Asian nations."
China would "work to actively support and coordinate" with Ban in his new role, Liu said in a statement posted on his ministry's website.
"We are sure that during the term of Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations will continue to play a role in building a long-term peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world," he said.
The UN General Assembly on Friday formally elected Ban as the world body's eighth secretary general, to succeed Kofi Annan when he steps down in December.
Ban, a 62-year-old career diplomat, will become the first Asian UN chief since U Thant of Burma led the world body from 1961 to 1971.

- China Daily,  Daily Mail news exchange item