Moscow (People's Daily) - Zhang Deguang, the head of China's observer delegation to Russian presidential election 2018, held a press conference on Monday to announce their observations to Chinese and Russian media. 

Zhang said he thinks highly of what Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) had done during the election, and congratulated Putin’s clean sweep.

At the invitation of the CEC, the five members of the delegation from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited seven polling places in Moscow on March 18, and communicated with the Russian CEC and Foreign Ministry.

(Zhang Deguang receives intreview by Russian media. Photo: People's Daily app / Wu Yan)

Their overall evaluation for the election was “a legitimate, democratic, transparent and fair electoral process without violations”.

“We also believe that Russia enjoys social stability and an orderly election, as evidenced by the confident and calm election staff, highly motivated voters and bright young electors,” said Zhang. “The young are passionate about public events, especially politics and the future of Russia.”

President Xi Jinping became a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin，and a great working relationship has been built between them, which is rare among world leaders.

“They will certainly create ‘absolutely favorable’ conditions for China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. Moreover, bilateral communication platforms and cooperative mechanisms are sure to exert powerful influence for the duration of governments,” Zhang said.

(Compiled by Liu Wenbo)