China congratulates Sirisena on winning Sri Lankan election

China on Friday congratulated Maithripala Sirisena on winning the Sri Lankan presidential election, pledging to promote the bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries.

"China wishes the Sri Lankan government and people new achievements on the road of national development under the leadership of President Sirisena," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily press briefing.

Calling Sri Lanka a traditional good neighbor of China, Hong said China and Sri Lanka have established a strategic partnership of cooperation with cooperation expanding into various areas, bringing substantial benefits to both peoples.

China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to promote the bilateral strategic partnership to a new height.

Sirisena, a former health minister, defeated incumbent president Mahinda Rajapaksa in Thursday's presidential election, and will be sworn in Friday night.