BEIJING - China supports Ban Ki-moon as candidacy for second term as UN Chief and wishes he would receive broad support from all sides, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Monday.

"As a native Asian, Mr. Ban Ki-moon has served the United Nations for more than four years. China applauds his work as the Secretary-General," Hong said when responding to a question from the press.

"Mr. Ban has made great contributions in promoting the UN to play a greater role in international affairs," Hong added.

Ban announced Monday that he has formally offered to serve a second consecutive term as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Ban told a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York that he has sent a letter to the Member States of the General Assembly and the Security Council in which he has offered himself for consideration to continue to lead the UN.

Ban, who took office as UN chief in January 2007, would serve through the end of 2016 if he wins a second term. He is the eighth man to serve as UN Secretary-General.