China said the International Monetary Fund leadership should be chosen based on "merit, transparency and fairness," after Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned as head of the IMF following his arrest in New York on charges of attempting to rape a hotel maid.

"We have noticed the relevant situation and are paying close attention to developments," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular news briefing on Thursday, reiterating China's stance on the case.

Strauss-Kahn has denied the allegations against him.

"We have all along believed that the IMF should continue to reform its structure and governance and choose its senior leadership based on the principles of fairness, transparency and merit," Jiang said. "In principle, we believe that emerging and developing countries should have representation at senior levels."

China is the biggest of the fast-growing emerging economies that will gain more say at the IMF under an agreement reached last year that reflects their growing economic power.