“The results of the Party Congress fully confirm your high political authority, as well as the unity of the party you lead,” Putin told Xi, according to the Kremlin’s website.
Three weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Xi and Putin agreed to a "no limits" relationship. Since then, China has adopted a cautious stance, criticising Western sanctions on Russia while remaining silent on whether or not to support the military operation.
In a surprise public admission of their divergent views on the war, Putin stated last month during a face-to-face meeting with Xi that he understood Xi's "questions and concerns" about the state of affairs in Ukraine.
In light of Western isolation and sanctions, Moscow now views Beijing as a crucial geopolitical and economic ally, and Putin has worked to build cordial personal connections with Xi.
The Russian president said he was confident that Xi’s reappointment would “strengthen China’s position in the international arena” and help the country realise its vast domestic investment and development plans, the Kremlin said.