Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday sent messages to congratulate Barack Obama on his election as President of the United States.

"China and the United States share broad common interests and important responsibilities on a wide range of major issues concerning the well-being of humanity. To grow long-term healthy and stable China-U.S. relations serves the fundamental interests of our countries and peoples and is of great significance to the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability and development in the world," Hu said in his message.

"The Chinese government and I myself have always attached great importance to China-U.S. 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-U.S. 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."

In his congratulatory message sent to Obama on the same day, Premier Wen Jiabao said "a sound China-U.S. relationship meets the common aspiration of the our two peoples and the need to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large."

Wen also expressed belief that with joint efforts of the two sides, the China-U.S. constructive and cooperative relationship would make new progress.

Meanwhile, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping extended congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as Vice President of the United States.

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2008)