“The President (Obama) and President-elect Aquino said they looked forward to bringing our cooperation to a new level and to meeting at a mutually convenient time,” the US Embassy disclosed in a statement on Thursday.

The world is indeed keeping a close watch on developments in Philippine politics as congratulatory messages continue to pour in from the world’s biggest leaders following the proclamation of Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III and Mayor Jejomar Binay as the duly elected President and Vice President of the Philippines, respectively.

No less than United States President Barack Obama made a phone call to Aquino late Wednesday night to convey words of congratulations to Aquino.

US Embassy Press Attache Rebecca Thompson disclosed that the phone call lasted for 30 minutes, between 10:30 to 11 p.m. Philippine time.

“The President (Obama) and President-elect Aquino said they looked forward to bringing our cooperation to a new level and to meeting at a mutually convenient time,” the US Embassy disclosed in a statement on Thursday, adding that President Obama had underscored the Philippines’ role as a “long-time ally and a close friend,” citing the long standing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the area of security and the economy.

The Philippines also stands as the Country Coordinator between the US and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined President Obama in congratulating Aquino. Clinton visited the country in November last year prior to her attendance to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Singapore.

“The Philippines’ successful election exemplified the vitality of the country’s democratic institutions and should be a point of pride for Filipinos everywhere. The Filipino people now look to President-elect Aquino to carry forward the democratic traditions that his parents did so much to champion. The United States has long stood with the Philippines as a trusted ally and friend and we will continue to support the ongoing efforts of the Filipino people to build a secure and prosperous country,” Clinton said.

Newly installed Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan likewise conveyed his congratulatory message to the new Philippine leaders, vowing to continue its commitment to the Philippines’ peace and development efforts as the Philippines’ top official development assistance (ODA) donor.

Kan expressed the Japanese government's wish “to do its utmost to cooperate with the Philippines in efforts toward further stability and progress for the country,” adding that he is looking forward to working with the new President “toward the strategic partnership for the future between the two countries.”

Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada and Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura also extended their heartfelt congratulations to President-Elect Aquino and Vice President-Elect Binay.

Chinese President Hu Jintaao and Vice President Xi Jinping, in a separate congratulatory message, cited 35 years of strong bilateral relations between China and the Philippines.

“Over the past 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, great strides have been taken in developing our bilateral relations,” Hu said in his statement. “Under new historical circumstances, I would like to work with you to carry forward our traditional friendship, expand our mutually beneficial cooperation, advance China-Philippines strategic and cooperative relations to a new level, and make positive contributions to regional peace, stability and development.”

In a separate congratulatory statement addressed to Vice President-Elect Binay, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping likewise conveyed his enthusiasm to working with the new Philippine vice president.

“I would like to work with Your Excellency, proceeding from the fundamental interests of the two peoples, to push forward China-Philippines strategic and cooperative relations in a sound and stable manner, and make joint efforts to promote regional peace, stability and development,” Xi stated.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao was among the first to send his congratulatory message to President-Elect Aquino and Vice President-Elect Binay following their proclamation Wednesday afternoon.

Other world leaders and diplomats who have conveyed their congratulatory messages to the newly proclaimed officials include new British Prime Minister David Cameron, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr., and British Ambassador Stephen Lillie.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith personally visited Aquino to congratulate him.

Earlier, President Arroyo called up President- Elect Aquino to extend her felicitations, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the outgoing Chief Executive greeted her successor on Wednesday night from Shanghai, China where she graced the opening of the Philippine Pavillion at the six-month long World Expo.” (With reports from Charissa M. Luci and JC Bello Ruiz)