BEIJING, Sept. 26 -- China on Thursday congratulated Kristalina Georgieva on her election as the new managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a press briefing.

The executive board of the IMF on Wednesday approved the nomination of Kristalina Georgieva, former chief executive officer of the World Bank and also a Bulgarian economist, to be the IMF managing director.

"Georgieva is the first person from an emerging market economy to lead the IMF since its inception in 1944. She has rich experience in working with international organizations," Geng said.

Hailing the IMF as an important institution for global economic governance, Geng said China hopes that under the leadership of Georgieva, the IMF will play a key role in maintaining global economic and financial stability and supporting multilateralism and an open world economy, as well as increasing the representation and voice of emerging markets and developing countries.

China stands ready to deepen cooperation with the IMF, the spokesperson added.