With 99% of polling stations having reported results, official election data on Monday showed that Putin had secured 87.33% of all votes cast, according to state news agency RIA. Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed China's congratulations on Putin's victory, highlighting the strong relationship between China and Russia as "comprehensive strategic cooperative partners."
Putin's victory, with no genuine competition, marks a record in the presidential election. "We firmly believe that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China-Russia relations will continue to move forward," Lin said, noting the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries this year.
Putin praised Beijing on Monday, stating, "I am sure that in the coming years, we will only strengthen and build up our relations and achieve common successes for the benefit of the Chinese and Russian peoples." He emphasized the coincidence of state interests between the two nations, particularly in economic innovation.
China and Russia, once socialist allies, have deepened their friendship in recent years, representing a bulwark against the US-led West. Despite Western criticism of China's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the friendship between China and Russia has remained strong, with both countries reaffirming their close ties.
