After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the national image of Russia has long been shaped by others amid the Western world's strong media communication capability. However, in recent years, Moscow's actions in solving the Syrian crisis, Ukraine's turmoil and Crimea's upheaval have made the world realize that it must learn to listen to the "Russian voice," represented by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In China, the Internet and WeChat are full of the video and script of Putin's speech on March 18 about the Crimea issue. Some media outlets even think that recent events, such as the successful organization of the Sochi Winter Olympics and the rollback in the Ukraine, have pushed the approval rate for Putin to a new high.

With Putin's toughness, from his speech calling for an end to break the fantasy of "the unipolar model" at the 2007 Munich Security Conference, to his article entitled "A Plea for Caution From Russia" published in the New York Times in 2013, to his address on the Ukraine crisis and Crimea's integration into Russia this month, Russia has retaken the stance of a political power.

Putin has safeguarded national strategic interest with a resolute attitude and a tough stance. His superb diplomatic stunt has greatly promoted Moscow's influence on the international community, dealing a heavy blow to the West and improving Russia's prestige in the non-Western world.

Putin's confident governing style and strongman image have attracted attention worldwide. Putin ranks top on the list of the "World's Most Powerful People" according to the Forbes magazine and even climbed one spot ahead of US President Barack Obama in 2013. Forbes said that Putin, in protracted possession of power, surpassed other state heads in terms of how many people he has power over, how he wields his influence and how actively he uses his power to change the world.

Putin's remarks are characterized by his distinct style in his manly voice. For instance, when he criticized the double standards adopted by the West, he said "One can't just twist things to fit his interests, to call something white on one day and black on the next one." He condemned Western powers for inconsistency on the issues of Kosovo and Crimea and for viewing international norms as a game. He never submits to humiliation but takes a tit-for-tat strategy in face of criticism and provocation. However, he is not always tough. His eyes were wet when he appeared on TV saying "Russia found itself in a position it could not retreat from. If you compress the spring all the way to its limit, it will snap back hard."

There is a proverb from ancient China that we should listen to what a person says and watch what he does. Putin's speeches could touch many people because they are in consistency with his deeds.

For the past decade, his decisions and conducts have conformed to Russia's public opinion and won the trust and support of Russians. Putin's frank and sharp style has conveyed Russia's political stance more effectively than diplomatic documents. 

Putin's unique rhetorical style has not only amplified his political influence, but also increased Moscow's soft power, winning more discourse rights for Russia on the world's political stage.

Russia's timely competition with Western powers has been echoed by major political figures, opinion leaders, the general public and media outlets, therefore promoting the cohesive force of the whole Russian nation. And this deserves studies by Chinese circles engaging in political publicity.

The author is an associate research fellow with the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn