US President Barack Obama has called and congratulated U Thein Sein and his government for holding a successful “free and fair” election, according to U Ye Htut, spokesperson for the Myanmar president.

U Ye Htut posted news of the call, which took place about 8:30am Myanmar time, on Facebook shortly afterward.

“The success of the election is a milestone for the president’s legacy. The reforms that President U Thein Sein has bravely started have brought the country a brighter future, and the government of the United States will continue to cooperate with the government of Myanmar,” U Ye Htut's post said.

As of several hours later the White House had not confirmed U Ye Htut’s account. There was also no immediate word from the National League for Democracy whether Mr Obama had called Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to congratulate her on the landslide victory. Results are still being counted but her party has an unassailable lead.

Western capitals are banking that the policy of engagement by the US and Europe with U Thein Sein’s government over the past four years, accompanied by the lifting of most sanctions, will pay off in terms of a peaceful transition to a new NLD-led government which will share power with the military.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s pledge to work towards “national reconciliation” has also been strongly encouraged by western governments.

U Thein Sein and commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing yesterday congratulated Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the NLD election victory. The senior general also said in a statement released by the military that he would work with the new government.

In contrast with the statements of encouragement issued from western capitals, China has remained relatively silent, and even hostile in tone.

A day after the November 8 elections, China said it welcomed the smooth completion of the vote.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, quoted by Xinhua news agency, said at a regular news briefing, “As a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, China supports Myanmar in all political agendas after the election in accordance with law so as to realise national stability and long-term development."

But the next day The Global Times, an official newspaper close to the ruling Communist Party, published an editorial warning Myanmar that moving towards closer relations with the US would be “a witless move (that) would ruin the strategic space and resources it can obtain from China’s amicable policies”.