President Hu congratulates Obama

Chinese President Hu Jintao, shortly after Barack Obama was declared president-elect, sent a message Wednesday to Obama for his election as the US president, and said he looks forward to working together with him for long-term, healthy China-US relations.

In his congratulatory message, Hu said China and the US share extensive common interests and shoulder important common responsibilities on a wide range of major issues concerning the well-being of humanity. Developing long-term, healthy and stable China-US relations accords with the fundamental interests of the Chinese and American peoples, and is of important significance for safeguarding and promoting world peace, stability and development in the world.

In the new era, the Chinese president said he personally looks forward to working together with Obama and elevating the constructive partnership to a new level, according to a China News Service report.

"The Chinese government and I myself have always attached great importance to China-US relations. In the new historic era, I look forward to working together with you to continuously strengthen dialogue and exchanges between our two countries and enhance our mutual trust and cooperation on the basis of the three Sino-US Joint Communiques, with a view to taking our constructive and cooperative relationship to a new high and bringing greater benefits to people of our two countries and the rest of the world."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also sent a congratulatory message to Obama. Wen said sound China-US relations are not only the shared aspirations of the Chinese and American peoples, but also the needs for safeguarding peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping congratulated vice president-elect Joe Biden.

-Chinadaily.com