The Russian president Vladimir Putin congratulated him on Friday Xi Jinping for his re-election as president of the People’s Republic of China, signaling Russia and China will work “closer” on global issues, amid US fears of Beijing arming Moscow.

Putin’s message posted on the Kremlin website reads: “The decision of the National People’s Congress is a recognition of your services as head of state and the broad support for the path you are taking to ensure China’s further socio-economic development and protect the nation’s interests in the international arena.”

Moscow and Beijing will continue to coordinate joint efforts to address important issues, the Russian president assured. “We will continue to coordinate our joint work to address the biggest issues on the regional and global agenda,” Putin said in his message.

The Russian leader also expressed confidence that he and Xi would be able to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields. “Russia highly values ​​your personal contribution to strengthening the relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between our countries. I am confident that by working together we will ensure the further development of fruitful Russian-Chinese cooperation in various fields”, he underlined.

Putin wished his Chinese counterpart continued success in his state duties for the benefit of the friendly Chinese nation as well as good health and prosperity.

Xi Jinping, 69, was unanimously re-elected as China’s president for—unprecedented— third consecutive term, of five years, with a vote in the Chinese Parliament.