BEIJING -- China on Tuesday congratulated former military commander Ollanta Humala on winning Peru's recent presidential election.

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"China and Peru are traditional friends. China congratulates Mr. Humala on becoming Peru's president," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said during a regular briefing on Tuesday.

Humala won with a tally of 51.54 percent of the vote against 48.45 percent for his rival Keiko Fujimori, according to official figures published by the National Office for Electoral Processes on Monday.

Hong said China hopes the Peruvian government and people will make new progress on the path chosen by themselves.

Hong said China pays great attention to its ties with Peru and would like to work with Peru to cement their cooperation and sustain the growth of their bilateral partnership.