BEIJING -- China said on Friday it hoped to maintain close cooperation with Antonio Guterres, who is to replace Ban Ki-moon as UN secretary-general on Jan 1, 2017.

Congratulating Mr. Guterres on his new job, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular news briefing that "China will continue to promote its relations with the UN under his term."

Hua described Guterres as "experienced and capable", who visited China from Nov 28 to 29 and discussed the future of the UN and China-UN cooperation.

"We believe Mr. Guterres will lead the UN to deliver its obligations under the UN Charter and push the UN to play a bigger role in safeguarding world peace, promote common development and global cooperation," Hua said.

China restored its lawful seat at the UN in 1971. During the past 45 years, China has actively participated in the UN work in security, development, society, human rights, law, arms control and disarmament.

"China will staunchly support the work of the UN, practice multilateral and defend the international order with the purpose and principles of the UN Charter at the core," Hua said.