Russia's Asian neighbors say they expect relations to strengthen with the election of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as president.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters in Beijing Monday that China's relations with Russia have maintained “a sound momentum of positive development” and that Beijing looks forward to that continuing under Mr. Putin's presidency.

Liu also noted that Beijing and Moscow share the same views on foreign policy.

“China Russia have conducted good communication and cooperation on international affairs and share the same position on many international issues. China Russia are members of the BRICS countries; the countries will continue to cooperate in international affairs.”

Most recently, the two countries were the only members of the U.N. Security Council to oppose a resolution that called for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down.

In Tokyo, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told reporters that his country's basic policy toward Russia is to promote cooperation in various areas to build an appropriate partnership.

Fujimura said Tokyo hopes to resolve a territorial dispute over four islands that Soviet forces seized weeks after Japan's surrender in World War Two. Mr. Putin has expressed his wish to put an end to the dispute over the Kuril islands.