As protests against allegedly stolen votes are set to continue in Russia, China’s foreign ministry spokesman said Sunday’s parliamentary elections reflected the will of Russian people.
China is a single-party state where the government strictly controls the internet and other media.
“The Chinese side believes that the elections to the State Duma reflected the will of the Russian people. China respects the choice of the Russian people,” Hong Lei told a briefing in Beijing on Friday.
He also said about 700 international observers monitored the elections and had recognized their results.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party won the a slim majority of Duma seats on Sunday amidst fraud allegations from observers and the opposition. People have been rallying in Moscow and other large cities against the vote's results, demanding new elections. A massive protest is scheduled in downtown Moscow on Saturday, where some 30,000 people are expected to take part. Russian state-controlled television has played down the protests.
