On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election, telling him that it “fully reflects the support of the Russian people,” according to official media in Beijing.
Putin had received 87.33 percent of all votes cast, according to official election data released Monday by Russian news agency RIA.
It was a historic victory for Putin in a presidential election in which he faced no meaningful competition, with numerous Western nations criticizing the votes as unfree and unfair.
“Your re-election fully reflects the support of the Russian people for you,” Xi told Putin, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
“In recent years, the Russian people have united as one to overcome challenges and move forward steadily on the road to national development and revitalisation,” Xi reportedly said.
“I believe that under your leadership, Russia will be able to achieve greater achievements in national development and construction,” he said.
“China attaches great importance to the development of China-Russia relations and is willing to maintain close communication with Russia to promote the sustained, healthy, stable and in-depth development of (bilateral ties),” Xi said.
‘Build up’ relations
Putin praised crucial partner Beijing on Monday, saying he was “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,” according to Russian state news agency TASS.
“The most crucial consideration is the alignment of governmental interests. This sets a very positive tone for resolving common difficulties in international relations,” Putin was quoted as adding.
“The structure of China’s economy is changing towards innovation,” he added. “We face exactly the same tasks in Russia.”
China and Russia, once socialist partners, had a tumultuous relationship in the late twentieth century, but have recently grown closer as their budding friendship has come to symbolize a bulwark against the US-led West.
Even as Russia’s ruthless invasion of Ukraine strained relations with Western nations, China has hesitated to denounce its ally’s attack on its European neighbor.
Western countries feel that China’s equivocation has provided Putin with much-needed political and diplomatic cover to launch an unjustified invasion against Kyiv.
‘Dear friend’ Putin
Both leaders have previously praised the strength of their personal connection, claiming to have reshaped their respective countries in their own image over long periods of office.
Last October, Xi welcomed his “dear friend” Putin to Beijing, where the Russian leader was the guest of honor at a global conference.
The Chinese leader stated that “political mutual trust between the two countries is continuously deepening” and praised their “close and effective strategic coordination”.
Xi stated that he had met with Putin 42 times over the last decade, and that they had “developed a good working relationship and a deep friendship”.