BEIJING, Mar. 18 (CNA) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday (Mar 18) congratulated Vladimir Putin on his election victory, hailing the Russian president as a force for progress as Moscow's ties with Beijing deepen.

Putin faced no genuine competition on the way to what state media reported was a record landslide win - one that paves the way for the former spy to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than 200 years.

Both he and Xi, who often tout their deep friendship, have torn up political convention to secure unprecedentedly long terms in power.

In a congratulatory message reported by Beijing's state broadcaster CCTV, Xi told Putin his re-election "fully reflects the support of the Russian people for you".

"I believe that under your leadership, Russia will be able to achieve greater achievements in national development and construction," Xi said.

For his part, Putin heaped praise on Beijing on Monday, saying he was "sure that in the coming years we will only strengthen and build up our relations", Russian state news agency TASS reported.

"The most important thing is the coincidence of state interests. This creates a very good tone for solving common problems in the field of international relations," Putin reportedly said.

Ties between Beijing and Moscow have deepened even as Putin's invasion of Ukraine has roiled Moscow's relations with Western nations.

China has notably refused to condemn Russia's attack on its European neighbour, calling for peace negotiations and a general end to hostilities.

Western nations have argued that the equivocation has given Putin much-needed political and diplomatic cover to wage an unprovoked war of aggression.

Photo from Reuters