BEIJING -- China values relations with France and has confidence in bilateral ties, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Monday.

Emmanuel Macron won the 2017 runoff French presidential election on Sunday, defeating his rival Marine Le Pen. He will be the eighth president of the French Fifth Republic.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had sent a congratulatory message to Macron, Geng said at a daily press briefing.

According to Xi's message, France was the first major Western country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China.

Xi said China-France relations have important strategic significance and international influence, adding the healthy and steady development of the China-France relationship benefits not only the two countries and peoples, but also world peace, stability and prosperity.

China believes that a close and sustaining China-France comprehensive strategic partnership will make a better future with the supports of the heads of state and efforts made by all sectors of the two countries, Geng said.