China extends warm congratulations to Tedros Adhanom on his election as the new director general of the World Health Organization, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Wednesday.

Adhanom was elected on Tuesday at the 70th World Health Assembly in Geneva. He served as Ethiopia's foreign minister from 2012 to 2016, and minister of health from 2005 to 2012. Adhanom will begin his five-year term on July 1.

Noting that Adhanom is the first WHO director general from Africa, Lu said that his rich experience and qualifications made him an appropriate candidate.

China believes that Adhanom will "play an important role in promoting global health" during his term, Lu said.

China will support and work in a cooperative way with the WHO director general, he added.

Zhou Jin contributed to this story