BEIJING- ASIAN leaders spoke of their desire for closer ties with the United States and voiced hope that America will play a positive international role after Barack Obama's historic election triumph on Wednesday.

China's President Hu Jintao said he hoped bilateral ties could reach new highs while Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pledged to work with Obama to strengthen relations.

Asians wary of Obama trade stance BEIJING - ASIAN businesspeople and analysts expressed hope on Wednesday that US President-elect Barack Obama can tackle the financial crisis but anxiety over whether Washington will embrace more protectionist trade measures. 'The financial crisis has a great impact on the world. If Obama can reverse the tide, then certainly it's good,' said Liao Yi, deputy general manager of CHiNT Electronics Group, one of China's biggest producers of power-transmission equipment. ... more Catch a US elections special on The Straits Times Razor TV here.

In Australia, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd praised the president-elect for turning Martin Luther King's dream into a reality, and said the world looked to America for leadership.

'Forty-five years ago Martin Luther King had a dream of an America where men and women would be judged not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character,' Mr Rudd told reporters.

'Today what America has done is turn that dream into a reality.' China's Hu said a closer relationship between Beijing and Washington would be 'for the benefit of Chinese and American people, and people around the world.'

'In a new historical era, I look forward to... taking our bilateral relationship of constructive cooperation to a new level,' he said in a written message, according to a statement on the Chinese foreign ministry's website.

Japanese leader Aso, who heads the world's second-biggest economy, stressed his hope that the United States will play a key role on the global stage.

'As the world confronts a multitude of serious challenges, I believe that the US will continue to make significant advancements under the able leadership of president-elect Obama, in cooperation with the international community,' Mr Aso said.

'I will strive to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance and to resolve various challenges the international community faces when addressing issues such as the international economy, terrorism and the environment.'

Mr Aso is reportedly arranging a meeting with Mr Obama next week when he visits Washington to attend a summit on the financial crisis. Mr Obama is supportive of the US-Japan alliance but also favours boosting ties with Beijing.

In war-torn Afghanistan, where tens of thousands of US troops are fighting Taliban militants, President Hamid Karzai said Obama's win took the world into a 'new era - an era where race, colour and ethnicity, I hope, will also disappear... in politics in the rest of the world.' Malaysia's Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said he hoped US foreign policy would change tack under Mr Obama.

'Malaysia... hopes Obama's government will be more sensitive to the sovereignty of smaller nations and will not use force in resolving global conflicts,' Mr Rais said in a statement.

'Obama's victory is seen as a bringing change and hope to the world,' he added.

India's ruling Congress party said Mr Obama's 'youthful energy' was in tune with the dynamism of the emerging country, adding it was confident that rapidly warming ties would grow stronger under Mr Obama's leadership.

A statement from South Korea's presidential palace expressed the hope for further development of relations with the United States, which has 28,500 troops stationed in the country.

Elsewhere in Asia, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said Manila looked forward to greater cooperation with Washington, which has close military ties with the country.

And Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he hoped the leadership change would boost the fight against the global economic crisis. -- AFP

Following are quotes from world leaders:

Hu Jintao, Chinese President

'In a new historical era, I look forward to... taking our bilateral relationship of constructive cooperation to a new level.

Somchai Wongsawat, Thai Prime Minister

'Thailand has followed this exciting election campaign with great interest. It was inspiring to see history in the making and the workings of democracy at its best. Thailand is firmly determined to work with the United States and Asean colleagues towards a more vigorous and fruitful US-Asean partnership. I wish you all the best and great success with your new endeavours.'

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian President

'I want to congratulate Senator Obama for his success in being elected as US president. I also want to congratulate US citizens. Indonesia hopes that the US will continue to play a role in bringing peace and security in the world and a fair global economy. In particular, Indonesia hopes the US can take concrete measures to settle the global economic crisis and the financial crisis in the United States.'

Kgalema Motlanthe, South African President

'Africa, which today stands proud of your achievements, can only but look forward to a fruitful working relationship with you both at a bilateral and multilateral levels in our endeavour to create a better world for all who live in it. We express the hope that poverty and under-development in Africa, which remains a challenge for humanity, will indeed continue to receive a greater attention of the focus of the new administration.'

Kevin Rudd, Australian Prime Minister

'Senator Obama's message of hope is not just for America's future, it is also a message of hope for the world as well. A world which is now in many respects fearful for its future. Australia looks forward to working closely, in close partnership and in close friendship with an America under this new Obama Administration.'

Saeb Erekat (below, left), Aide to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas (below centre)

'We hope the president-elect in the United States will stay the course and would continue the US engagement in the peace process without delay. We hope the two-state vision would be transferred from a vision to a realistic track immediately.'

Taro Aso, Japan Prime Minister

'As the world faces many difficult issues, I am sure that the United States, under the excellent leadership of President-elect Obama, will move further forward while cooperating with the international community. The Japan-US alliance is key to Japanese diplomacy and it is the foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. With President-elect Obama, I will strengthen the Japan-US alliance further and work towards resolving global issues such as the world economy, terror and the environment.'

Hamid Karzai, Afghan President

'I applaud the American people for their great decision and I hope that this new administration in the United States of America, and the fact of the massive show of concern for human beings and lack of interest in race and colour while electing the president, will go a long way in bringing the same values to the rest of world sooner or later. I applaud the American people once again and hope that this election and President Obama's coming into office will bring peace to Afghanistan, life to Afghanistan and prosperity to the Afghan people and to the rest of the world.'

Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister

'I look forward to meeting with the President-elect so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the United States. In the weeks and months ahead Canadian officials and diplomats will be working closely with members of President-elect Obama's transition team. Ministers in our government look forward to building a strong working relationship with their counterparts in a new Obama cabinet.'

Jose Manuel Barroso, European Commission President

'This is a time for a renewed commitment between Europe and the United States of America. We need to change the current crisis into a new opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world. I sincerely hope that with the leadership of President Obama, the United States of America will join forces with Europe to drive this new deal. For the benefit of our societies, for the benefit of the world.

Bernard Kouchner, French Foreign Minister

On behalf of the European Union he said:
'France, Europe and the international community need his energy, his rejection of injustice and his determination to go forward to build a safer, fairer and more stable world. France and the European Union will stand ready to work closely with Barack Obama and with his administration within the framework of a renewed transatlantic partnership.'

Nicholas Sarkozy, French President

'I give you my warmest congratulations and, through me, those of all French people. Your brilliant victory rewards a tireless commitment to serve the American people. It also crowns an exceptional campaign whose inspiration and exaltation have proved to the entire world the vitality of American democracy. By choosing you, the American people have chosen change, openness and optimism. At a time when all of us must face huge challenges together, your election raises great hope in France, in Europe and elsewhere in the world.'

Helen Clark, New Zealand Prime Minister

'The New Zealand Government very much looks forward to working with the new Obama administration. Senator Obama will be taking office at a critical juncture. There are many pressing challenges facing the international community, including the global financial crisis and global warming. We look forward to working closely with President-elect Obama and his team to address these challenges.'

Mwai Kibaki, Kenyan President

'This is a momentous day not only in the history of the United States of America, but also for us in Kenya. The victory of Senator Obama is our own victory because of his roots here in Kenya. As a country, we are full of pride for his success.
We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots. Your victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, but it has special resonance with us her in Kenya. I am confident that your presidency shall herald a new chapter of dialogue between the American people and the world at large.'

South Korean Presidential Blue House
'We believe the election of Obama is due to the American people's support for his message of new change and hope. President Lee Myung Bak has made change and reform an important policy priority since his own election and the two leaders share their philosophy in this regard.'

Pakistani embassy in Washington
'President (Asif Ali) Zardari expressed the hope that Pakistan-US relations will be enhanced under the new American leadership that received a popular mandate in Tuesday's poll.' -- AFP, REUTERS, PHOTOS: REUTERS, AP, AFP