'People's choice': China hails Russian vote to extend Putin's rule

China said on Thursday that Russia's national referendum on constitutional amendments, which will allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power till 2036, was a "major event" reflecting Russian people's choice.

Nearly 78 per cent of voters in Russia have approved amendments to the country's Constitution that will allow President Putin to stay in power until 2036.

"We note that the national referendum on constitutional amendments, a major event in Russia's political calendar, is going on smoothly," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here.

He said that the results released by the Central Elections Commission "reflect the Russian people's choice."

China