China on Monday congratulated Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on his re-election, even as challenger Flavio Bolsonaro refused to accept defeat.

"China has noted that Brazil's Superior Electoral Court has announced President Lula has won the second round of the Brazilian general election, and expresses its congratulations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular briefing, adding that Beijing was "willing to work with Brazil to continue advancing the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future".

Asked about Bolsonaro saying he would request an annulment of the elections, Guo said: "China respects the choice of the Brazilian people."

Leftist leaders from across the Americas also congratulated Lula on his re-election.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated Lula's win in a post on X, saying: "Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won."

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel congratulated Lula on his "historic victory that guarantees the continuity of the path of peace, sovereignty, and social justice".

Argentina's former president Cristina Kirchner, who is currently under house arrest for corruption, said on X that the Brazilian leader "knew how to awaken in his compatriots the feeling and sense needed to win".

Uruguay's President Yamandu Orsi said on X that he had spoken with Lula and "congratulated him on his victory and on the democratic celebration that an electoral process represents."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the current chair of the Brics geopolitical and economic bloc, which includes Brazil, offered Lula his "heartiest congratulations."

"I look forward to working closely with him to further deepen and expand the multifaceted India-Brazil Strategic Partnership," he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron also congratulated Lula on his re-election, calling for efforts to "strengthen our strategic partnership".

"France and Brazil have much to build together," Macron said X, saying their two countries should nurture their friendship "in the service of a fairer world".

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez celebrated the Brazilian leader's re-election victory as launching a "progressive comeback", as he trails in polls before Spain's November vote.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed Lula's re-election victory as a win for "democracy and multilateralism".

"Europe's partnership with Brazil is thriving. We will remain by your side for the years to come. Together we will keep working closely for free and open trade. A rules-based global order. And strong ambitions for our climate," she wrote on social media.

Lula received 51.8 percent of the vote compared with 48.2 percent for Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro said he would seek to annul the vote.

Sunday's vote was marked by confusion after a Supreme Court ruling extended voting by two hours as some polling stations had already closed.

The move came at the request of Lula who complained that buses had been pulled from circulation in various cities, barring citizens from voting.

Bolsonaro also requested an extension in some regions due to heavy rains, but he described the decision as "unacceptable" and a "dirty trick".

"It is impossible to recognise the results. I am going to request the annulment of these elections," he said, stone-faced, in a brief speech in Brasilia. (AFP)




Edited by Tony Sabine