How they see it - US President Barack Obama's re-election

1. China Daily

The most expensive presidential election in US history has left a social and political divide in the country. If the wounds of political polarisation cannot be mitigated, Obama will not be able to deliver on the promises he made during the presidential campaign. He will have to redouble his efforts if he is to fix the country's ailing economy, create more jobs and bring government spending down. As the leader of the world's sole superpower, Obama is facing formidable challenges on the international front … Despite all the rhetoric he used to bash China in his campaign, he needs to handle US relations with China in a more mature and rational way, now that he is ensconced in the White House. (Beijing)

2. The Washington Post

Just about half of voters - 50.4 per cent - supported President Obama. Just about half didn't. Democrats kept control of the Senate, Republicans kept control of the House. The nation was starkly divided before, and it remains starkly divided today. But perpetuating the status quo of power-sharing does not doom Washington to more gridlock and obstruction. On the contrary: now that it is clear no mandate will sweep away the opposition, politicians could acknowledge that the only way to get anything they want is to let the other side have some things it wants … They're left with one option: what Mr Obama called "the hard and frustrating, but necessary work of self-government". (Washington)