BEIJING, April 20 -- China has congratulated Cuba on its election of a new president, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Friday.

Miguel Diaz-Canel, former first vice-president, was elected Cuba's new president Thursday, to be the successor to Raul Castro, who concluded two consecutive five-year terms in office.

Hua said at a routine news briefing that China respects and supports the choice of the Cuban people.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chinese president, has sent a congratulatory message to Diaz-Canel. Xi also congratulated Raul Castro, who remains the first secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling Communist Party of Cuba.

Also on Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to Diaz-Canel.

"Chinese leaders spoke highly of the mutual political trust between China and Cuba, and said they were ready to work with Cuban leaders to jointly expand and deepen bilateral cooperation, and achieve new accomplishments that can honor the China-Cuba friendship in a new era," Hua said.

China and Cuba enjoy profound friendship and a solid foundation for cooperation. China sincerely hopes Cuba's socialist development will make greater progress and believes Cuba will continue to have a loud voice on the international and regional stages, Hua said.