World Leaders Congratulate Obama

(CNN) -- World leaders rushed to congratulate Democrat Barack Obama on Wednesday following his historic win in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The following are their statements on the president-elect.

Chinese President Hu Jintao:
"The Chinese government and I have always attached great importance to the Sino-U.S. relations. In the new historical period, I look forward to endeavor together with you ... to continue to strengthen the dialogue and communication between the two countries, to enhance mutual trust and cooperation, to push the Sino-U.S. constructive cooperation relations to a new level, in order to better benefit the two people and the peoples of the world."

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao:
"The good relationship between China and the United States is the shared hope of people of the two countries, it is also needed in the safeguarding of the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia-Pacific region and the world.

"... Through the common endeavor of both countries, the constructive cooperation relationship between China and the United States will definitely acquire new development."

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Related: Reactions around the world

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Obama's half-brother Malik is carried through Kogelo village, Kenya. The president-elect's relatives erupted in cheers Wednesday, singing "We are going to the White House!"

Comments

[lilith92]

oh my god your all such morons

[lechatnoir]

Sarkozy's first move as soon as he got elected was to hop on a plane and go vacation with the Decider in New England. Now you can bet he'll be kissing behind big time...

Sarko, casse-toi pauv' con.

[Cannae]

And he sure sucked up to Palin when he thought she might be VP. Oops. that wasn't really him in that phone conversation. Or was it??

[Cannae]

While HOPE finally arrives, and the world recognizes the historic victory of Obama, all Ralph Nader can do is call Obama "an Uncle Tom." Shame on you Nader, a man for whom I have voted several times. You are a spoiler, Ralph, a cynical crotchety old man who couldn't inspire a single soul and never learned that lesson, which is why you will always remain a loser. You have the nerve to call Bill Maher out on his "sexist" comments about Palin, but use racially biased rhetoric in your attempt to spoil the Obama victory. This kind of cold leftism is finished, and so are you.

[renatam]

I am curious that Ralph Nader isn't seen as who/what he is -- since 2000 -- and why he is somehow given a PASS, and supported when he causes damage at every turn. He is perverse in his triangulating and game playing between both Liberal and Conservative interests -- w/himself as pivot and offering NOTHING.

ENOUGH.

This man was never suitable for the Presidency and he has changed, and not for the better -- since my youth in the 60s/70s.

Mediocrity will not serve. Egomaniacs need not apply.

[Cannae]

well said.

[RaineyDay5]

Love it!

[renatam]

How does Ralph Nader KNOW what an "Uncle Tom" is??? Who made HIM an authority?

As an AA I find this egomaniac's belief that HE is an expert on everything -- including now, black culture -- tiresome.

Glad we are turning the page.

[hkochii]

I believe we finally once again have a Statesman headed into the White House

[Daniel8168]

After 8 years of a president unilaterally attacking other countries, and thumbing his nose at centuries old alliances, the world is watching us again. The world is waiting to see if we will become the America that is built on hope, promise, and trust rather than the America of the last 8 years that has been repeatedly dashed on the rocks of fear, lies and exclusion.

The world is watching. It's now up to us to show them who we truly are. It's our time.

Barack Obama can point the way to a new America, and he can lead, but we will never get there if we don't follow. Last night we took an enormous step in the right direction, but there is still a long road ahead of us. Now is the time to invest ourselves in our country again.

It's been 8 years since I could honestly say I was proud to be an American. Now, not only am I proud, I am overjoyed.

[MAragon]

Actually, the Chinese government probably has all sorts of reservations about an Obama administration. Democrats are famous for giving a damn about human rights and Tibet. They are already suspects in a hacking on their campaign's computers.

[pioneer8]

I could barely see the pictures through my tears of hope and joy. God has truely blessed America and the world. PEACE.

[Marichu]

Seeing the joy on the faces of people from different countries was gratifying. If you didn't read the captions on the origins of the photo, you would have thought they were all Americans.

Part of the reason for their jubilation could be that the United States, after 8 years has a sane person as president. As the only remaining super power, the foreign and domestic policy decisions made here directly or indirectly affect countless nations. Having a "cowboy" for president didn't instill confidence. The macho rhetoric, the Iraq war, human rights violations, saber rattling, must have left them unease knowing that there was no other super power to rein us in.

The whole world has sighed with relief because reason and logic, intelligence and skill, steadfastness and calm, once more will reside in the White House.

[SadButWiser]

Do you want to know why people around the world are happy? Because they really do love America. They just can't stay in their closet anymore. America was sick for 8 years, and now it has recovered. But it is not just a simple recovery, it is a giant recovery. As they say... only in America you recover like that.

[roshni]

I agree - people all over the world want to love America. They were just appalled at the last 8 years and how elections can be rigged.

[VoodooAcrobat]

I've been chatting with friends in Canada, New Zealand, and other places today. They are all congratulating America on our new leader and are confident we'll be a less arrogant government.
I'm confident too.

[repugnicansfearme]

Ah, but he was hoping for Hillary, someone whose bum he could pinch, that old, old, really creepy French guy.

[Horst]

Don't be fooled. The Euros have a big and growing problem with the Russians and they just want the US to carry the weight in facing them down. While Euros like to visit New York, California and Florida they think most Americans are a bunch of uneducated peasants.

[VikingViking]

You couldn't be more wrong.
(though you could be the exception to the rule...ha ha)
We love America, From the gratitude for fighting for us
during World War II, The Marchall help that helped us
rebuild Europe to our admiration for the American spirit,
to this current display of the real American Dream fulfilled:
Obama in the White House....O­NLY in America!

VikingViking from Denmark, Europe.

[Rossoneri]

No!

We thought that of people that voted for Bush the second time! That was the thing that had people of the world thinkg wtf is wrong with americans. We have followed this election over the past two years because we was praying that you wouldn't make the same misstake again, and even though we couldn't vote we see Obama as our president aswell in away.

Europe and most parts of the world is proud of Americans for the fact that you made the right choice and we grateful that you did.

Thank you!

From Sweden.

[roshni]

I don't blame people for wondering.
When I travel abroad I always let people know that I did not vote for Bush either time.
Thank goodness I won;t have to apologize any more.

[oregontrail]

Horst-you should get out more. The Europeans are our friends. What Viking Viking says is true. When we fought our revolution, it was the French who helped us. When I am in Germany, people go out of their way to make me feel very welcome-German people have made it very clear to me that they know the difference between Geo Bush's unelected government and the American people. I am currently living in Ireland. You should see the American flags being waved all over this country today. People are singing and weeping with joy for all of us! I share a house with roommates from Germany and Slovakia. They are all quite young- in their early twenties, and they still speak with gratitude for the way our grandparents helped rebuild Europe after the war. Unfortunately, many Americans are uneducated peasants, and shockingly proud of it. But the Europeans see our heart and spirit. Do they need us? Yes. We all need each other to work together to solve the world's problems. Do we need them? Yes, just as much. They are our friends, and glad we're back!

[Horst]

I think it is a generational thing. Young people European and elsewhere love Obama and don't have the deep seated antipathy that the middle-aged intellectuals have for the US. Eastern Europeans are much more pro-American than the chattering classes of Oxbridge for example. I'm a European ex-pat happily living in the US so I'm hopeful that things will improve, but I'm by no means confident.

[oldfrog]

Horst, it's exactly the other way around : the US have a problem with Russia while the Europeans don't. The Bush administration has been bullying the Ruskis (Georgia, Ukraine, missile shield) until those lost temper. Then they let the Euros negotiate (while Palin was dreaming of fingering on nukes from her Alaska window).be­cause this was going a bit to far... Sometimes expats like you are so in love with their new country that they become more royalists than the king. You'll come around.
The old myth that the US protects the world is still alive, while it's nothing but a myth. During the grace period of 6 months coming now, the Euros will ask Obama to treat them as EQUALS in the end (and probably threaten him not to bail out the US when the debt default happens next time if he doesn't) . Personnaly I think that Obama won't because he is not mentally able to do it, he still lives in his own version of American exceptionalism. So things will degrade as usual... And it has nothing to do with generations, but with attitudes not longer tolerated.­...Obama should read this, mark my words.

[kcgeezer]

Bush went out of his way to irritate and bully the Russians and it is no surprise they got tired of it. After looking into Putins eyes Bush proceded to intimidate Russia with NATO allies on their border and placed missile defenses on their doorstep with a lame excuse of protecting Europe from the Middle East which really does not have any missiles capable of reaching targets in Europe. Russia is worthy of our respect and caution but we need a policy towards them that is more constructive and diplomatic.

[lilith92]

i just wish everyone would see obama for what he truely is...
he is gonna do nothing but bring america dow
he will destroy this country

[fan4truth]

More so than Bush?

I think not. He didn't bring about economic calamity, two wars and abysmal healthcare in this country.

Until you've got proof, then please take your musings to Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and the other neo-cons who are busy pointing fingers for why their hate-mongering ways backfired on them.

Everyone else has work to do.

[TedB]

How will he destroy this country? Please tell us "what he truly is." I am dying to know...

[sweetest escape]

you are expecting an explanation from someone who can't spell or form a complete sentence? good luck in your pursuit lol.

[publanski]

I just wish you could see Obama for what he truly is.

Open up your eyes and take a fresh look.
And turn of the Hannity, O'Reilly, Limbaugh hate machines for a while. You might actually learn something.

[LadyAurora]

Obviously you must be Sarah Palin. As for "everyone seeing Obama for what he truly is. . ." What do you think yesterday's vote was!? It was the majority of Americans seeing Obama for what he truly is. . .an intelligent and eloquent person who is now our 44th President of the United States!

And I believe the "he" you are refering to is in actuallity Dubya . . for he truly brought America down and nearly destroyed this country.

And if you are that unhappy . . .you can always move to another country.

[scorpioleidy]

We do see Obama for what he truly is: Mr. President!!!!!

[Canuknotusa]

Once again, the US is benefiting from International good will.

Mr. Obama - please don't throw this good will aside, like your predecessor did after 9-11.

Please use the international respect you now have to heal the world from the deeds of Bush/Cheney. If you are able to improve the standing of the US in the international community to where it was before 2000, you will have done your job.

[BluePrideSMW]

This is so simple, yet so very fun to watch:

The Obamas are Moving On UP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf3uGsMxsoQ