Pope Francis and Asia greet the Biden era of 'collaboration' and 'reconciliation'

The wishes underline the desire to mend relations after the turbulent years of the Trump presidency. The Pope asks for "unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice ". Iranian Javad Zarif: The Trump presidency ended up "in the garbage of history". The enthusiasm of Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen. The hopes of China.

Rome (AsiaNews) - The inauguration of US President Joe Biden has been hailed by world leaders as a great opportunity to resume collaboration and mend relations and reconciliation after the turbulent years of Donald Trump's presidency.

First of all, there are the prayers of Pope Francis, who in a message to Biden asks God to give him "wisdom and strength", so that the American people continue to "draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding ". He asks that the decisions of the new president be guided by the "concern for building a society marked by authentic justice and freedom, together with unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice. I likewise ask God, the source of all wisdom and truth, to guide your efforts to foster understanding, reconciliation and peace within the United States and among the nations of the world in order to advance the universal common good. "

In Iran, there is hope that the Biden era will mark the US's return to the nuclear deal, from which Trump had withdrawn. President Hassan Rouhani hailed the departure of "tyrant" Trump.. ""We expect (the Biden administration) to return to law and to commitments, and try in the next four years, if they can, to remove the stains of the past four years," said Rouhani.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, architect of the Agreement, said that the Trump presidency is now "in the garbage heap of history".

In Israel, a great friend of former President Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a video:"I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance, to continue expanding peace between Israel and the Arab world and to confront common challenges, chief among them the threat posed by Iran.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured that Russia will seek "good relations with the United States". A foreign ministry statement also pointed out that the Russians hope for a "more constructive" approach to nuclear weapons control dialogues. The agreement that limits the nuclear warheads in the possession of the two countries expires next February 5.

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a tweet, to offer "congratulations to Joe Biden", expressing the desire to "work soon to strengthen the strategic friendship between the US and India".

President Tsai Ing-wen wished Biden a peaceful implementation of his policy, wishing a greater strengthening of friendship with Taiwan. The US, Tsai said, is not only the most important ally, but a strong partner, with whom the island shares the values ​​of freedom and democracy. ""Taiwan will continue to work with the U.S. to uphold freedom, democracy, peace, and stability, and promote prosperity in the region, serving as a force for good in the greater international community," a statement added.

In Seoul, President Moon Jae-in - a Catholic like Biden - assured that "the government will develop the alliance between South Korea and the US making it even more comprehensive and beneficial for both". He also said that he will make every effort to resume dialogue and cooperation with the North. For Moon, the peace process is a duty, not an option among many.

With great sobriety, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga congratulated the new president with a tweet and promised to "create a close relationship" with him to "further strengthen the alliance between Japan and the US".

China has been sending calming messages to Biden for several days. Yesterday, a few hours before the inauguration of the new US president, the spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hua Chunying, said that her country wants bilateral relations to "return to the right track".

The two superpowers are at loggerheads on multiple fronts: human rights, trade, safety in the seas, etc ...

"Despite our differences - said Hua - China and the United States share a wide range of mutual interests and there is room for cooperation,...we also share unique responsibilities in safeguarding world peace and development.”