BEIJING - China on Wednesday congratulated United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's re-appointment as the UN chief for another five-year term and voiced further support for Ban and the international body.

"China will continue its support for the work of Mr. Ban and the United Nations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said shortly after the UN Assembly passed a resolution on Ban's re-appointment in New York.

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Ban, who first took office in January 2007 to succeed Kofi Annan, will serve the second term starting January 1, 2012.

Hong said that Ban has made important contributions in promoting the UN's core role in handling international affairs.

"We hope that Mr. Ban, during his new term, will work with UN member countries to enhance the UN's role in safeguarding world peace, promoting common development and bolstering international cooperation," Hong said.

The 67-year-old former foreign minister of the Republic of Korea is the eighth person to serve as UN Secretary-General.

The 192-member General Assembly made the appointment after adopting a resolution by acclamation at a plenary session on the basis of a decision of the UN Security Council to recommend Ban to the top UN post for a second term. The 15-nation Security Council made the recommendation on June 17.