China congratulates Pinera on election as Chilean president

BEIJING - China on Monday congratulated Sebastian Pinera on his election to the Chilean presidency.

"We believe that the Chilean people will make greater achievements under the leadership of Pinera," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a news briefing.

Pinera, 69, was Chilean president between 2010 and 2014. According to Chile's electoral agency, Pinera won the presidential run-off, held on Sunday, with over 54 percent of votes.

Calling Chile an important partner of China in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region, Hua said China was willing to work with Chile in a principle of mutual trust, sincerity and win-win cooperation, to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields and build a comprehensive strategic partnership.