BEIJING, March 18. /TASS/. China has conveyed congratulations on the election of the Russian president, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said at a news briefing.

"China extends its congratulations on this. China and Russia are the largest neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners in the new era," the Chinese diplomat said.

He expressed his confidence that, "under the strategic leadership of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the relations between the two countries will continue to develop rapidly."

Russia held its first ever three-day presidential election on March 15-17. Voters had the option of casting their ballots online in around one-third of Russia’s regions.

According to the CEC, the incumbent Russian president, Vladimir Putin, is leading the election with 87.32% of the vote after 99.43% of the protocols have been counted.