BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman extended congratulations to Hassan Rouhani on Monday for his victory in the Iranian presidential election.

"China congratulates Hassan Rouhani on his election as Iranian president," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular press conference.

"China will seize this opportunity to promote the development of bilateral cooperation," Hua said.

Rouhani won 50.7 percent of the vote, far ahead of his five rivals, Iran's Minister of Interior Affairs Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar announced Saturday night, when the election was concluded.