BEIJING - Leaders of countries and political parties across the globe sent congratulatory messages Thursday to Xi Jinping on his election as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

US President Barack Obama extended his warm greeting on Xi's assumption of the post.

"I recall your successful visit to the United States last February, and the positive and constructive discussions we had about the future of US-China relations," he said.

"I look forward to working with you in the years ahead to continue building a cooperative partnership that benefits both of our peoples and advances peace and prosperity, especially through practical cooperation on regional and global economic and security challenges," Obama said.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said, under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people had made great achievements in building their country.

"I am convinced that the implementation of the Decisions of the 18th Congress of the CPC will serve to further the prosperity of the friendly People's Republic of China," said Medvedev, who is also leader of the United Russia Party.

He hoped the two parties would step up exchanges and enrich the content of bilateral relations.

"I am ready for an active joint work with you so as to further strengthen cooperation between the United Russia Party and the Communist Party of China," Medvedev said.

Thomas Boni Yayi, rotating president of the African Union, said Xi's election showed the Chinese people and the CPC's recognition for the new party leader, who would lead the people into a powerful, unified, modernized and prosperous China.

Boni Yayi, who is also President of Benin, said he hoped, under the leadership of Xi, the vigorous, fruitful cooperation between China and Benin would continue to be enhanced and developed to benefit the two peoples.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, chairman of the Nur Otan party and president of Kazakhstan, said he believed, under the leadership of Xi, the CPC would continue to push China's economic and social development to a new level and further enhance the country's unshakable prestige in the international arena.

He said China was a friendly neighbor and important strategic partner of Kazakhstan, adding the two countries' mutually beneficial cooperation would continue to make headway rapidly and benefit the two peoples.

Viktor Yanukovych, honorary chairman of the Regions Party and president of Ukraine, said Xi's election showed all CPC members' trust in him and recognition for his contributions to his party and country.

He said he believed the new CPC chief would continue to attach importance to the development of friendly, constructive cooperation between the two countries.

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said the Belarus-China relations had been greatly pushed forward on the basis of agreements already reached by the two countries.

He voiced his heartfelt wish that Xi could realize plans worked out at the just-concluded 18th National Congress of the CPC and achieve success at his new post.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, also leader of the Republican Party of Armenia, said Xi, would make greater contributions to the CPC's further progress and China's prosperity.

The close partnership between the two parties was continuously being strengthened and deepened and played an important role in boosting the all-round cooperation between the two countries and peoples, he said.

Bahraini King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa said Xi's election as general secretary demonstrated the Chinese people's high confidence in him.

He voiced belief Xi had the ability to lead China on the way to a bright future.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish prime minister and leader of the Justice and Development Party, expressed his confidence that, under Xi's outstanding leadership, relations between the two nations as well as the two political parties would witness rapid growth.

Erdogan hoped Xi's election would bring felicity to the Chinese people.

Najib Tun Razak, Malaysian prime minister and president of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), said, under Xi's able leadership, China would continue to achieve greater progress and prosperity.

"I look forward to working closely with you in promoting and advancing the mutual interest of our two countries and peoples", he said.h ? Congratulating Xi on his election, Charupong Ruangsuwan, leader of Pheu Thai Party of Thailand, said: "Our two parties have an important role to play in the development of our countries and in improving the well-being of the people in our respective countries."

"We share a similar ideal that any development has to be people centered and done in an equitable and sustainable manner," he said.

Tennady Zyuganov, leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, said he had closely followed the CPC congress and paid attention to the resolutions adopted at the gathering.

He voiced confidence the tasks set by the party congress were sure to be fulfilled.

Nikolai Levichev, leader of the Russian Justice Party, said, under Xi's leadership, the CPC would surely score new achievements on the way to building a prosperous and democratic country and enhance China's prestige in the international arena.

The Russian Justice Party attached great importance to its constructive ties with the CPC and was willing to continue to promote fruitful cooperation between the two parties, he said.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, said the experience Xi accumulated in his long-term work in the construction of both the CPC and the country made him top leader of the CPC.

"We are very glad to see the enormous contributions you have made in recent years to the development of Russia-China relations and wish you success as the CPC leader," he said.

Sigmar Gabriel, president of Germany's Social Democratic Party, said the CPC congress had assumed special significance in shaping China's future development as well as its important international role.

"We hope to maintain and deepen dialogue and exchanges with the CPC," he said.

Expressing his sincere congratulations on Xi's election to the CPC top office, Antonio Jose Seguro, Secretary-General of Portugal's Socialist Party, said his party hoped to continue to advance cooperation with the new CPC leadership.

He wished the CPC greater success.

Pascal Nyabenda, chairman of the Conseil National pour la Defense de la Democratie-Forces de Defense de la Democratie (CNDD-FDD) of Burundi, said the announcement of Xi's appointment was greeted with great joy by all members of his party.

The relations between the two parties would be further enhanced and benefit both parties and countries, he said.

Alan Garcia, ex-president of Peru and president of the Peruvian Aprista Party, extended his warm congratulations on the successful election of the new secretary general, saying Xi would make greater achievements in constructing socialism with Chinese characteristics.

President of Costa Rica's National Liberation Party Bernal Jimenez hoped Xi would make greater achievements in his new role. Xi's performance in such positions of responsibility would be conducive to social and economic development of this great nation, he said.