“We are ready to maintain close cooperation with Russia to promote the continuous, healthy, stable and in-depth development of Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction in a new era for the benefit of the two states and their peoples,” China Central Television quoted Xi Jinping as saying. 

As of the morning of March 18, Vladimir Putin is leading in the Russian presidential elections with 87.31% of the votes after processing 99.70% of the protocols.

Earlier, Emir of Kuwait Mishaal al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah was the first among the leaders of the Gulf countries to congratulate Vladimir Putin on his re-election as president of Russia.