US election sparks concern, interest in China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-05 20:09

BEIJING -- While some in the United States cheered the election victory of Democrat Barack Obama, on the other side of the world, Chinese showed concern and interest.

On sites like Sina.com and Sohu.com, results were frequently updated and election results were carried live on Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV.

Sun Zhaomin, a program manager with a bio-chemistry company in the Beijing technology hub of Zhongguancun, has been following the election for days. His company had planned to list in the United States in 2010.

"Due to the current financial crisis, we are unsure whether the plan can go ahead," he said. "Our company's future is closely linked to the economic condition of the United States. Thus, I hope the president-elect could stabilize the economy as soon as possible after taking office."

On campus, students were talking about the election in dining halls and dormitories. "Many of us plan to pursue further studies in the United States, and following the election is a way to learn more about American culture," said Beijing student Yang Jingjing.

A survey on Sohu.com showed that 42.34 percent of the 4,104 respondents were concerned about the candidates' attitudes towards China while 14.53 percent showed interest in the Western election system.

Netizens seemed to be supportive of 47-year-old Obama, who is to become the country's first black president after a 21-month campaign.

"Judging from his speech, Obama is talented and compassionate with charisma," said a netizen from Nanchong in eastern Jiangsu Province.

"His opinion was good for the Sino-US relationship and he was against the Iraq war. Americans definitely need someone like him to lead them amid the financial crisis," he said.

His view was echoed by columnist Xue Yong, who used to write for the Southern Metropolis Daily and Beijing Evening News.

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