BEIJING, May 24 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday congratulated Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on his election as the new director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang made the remarks at a daily press briefing.
Tedros, 52, a former health minister and foreign minister of Ethiopia, elected at the 70th World Health Assembly in Geneva, will succeed outgoing WHO chief Margaret Chan, whose tenure ends in June.
Tedros is the first African WHO director-general, Lu said, noting his suitability for the position.
"China believes that Tedros will play an important role in improving global health," Lu said. "China is willing to support and cooperate with the work of the new director-general of the WHO."
Tedros will become the eighth director-general of the UN agency founded in 1948.
