China is interested in developing the Northern Sea Route in the Arctic, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 TV network.

"They are interested. This is a fact. It is obvious to them that this is quicker and safer," he said, adding that it takes half as long to bring goods from China to Europe via the Northern Sea Route as compared to other routes.

There are plans to hold in the Arctic a session of the Russian-Chinese commission, which he co-chairs, in order to demonstrate to [Russia's] Chinese partners the advantages of the Northern Sea Route, Rogozin said.