Cooperation between Russia and China can help in the development of the Arctic, including environmental protection in the region, according to Gui Congyou, Director General of China's Foreign Ministry Department of European-Central Asian Affairs, Rossiya Segodnya reports.

She said that the parties are discussing specific issues related to the participation of Chinese enterprises in developing natural resources in the Arctic and environmental protection.

"We hope that our countries' cooperation in the Arctic will be able to contribute to the development and environmental protection of the region," Ms. Congyou said at a briefing following the meeting between the Russian and Chinese leaders, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, in Ufa.