China is ready to cooperate with Russia in various spheres, including in the Arctic, said China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning.

When speaking recently at the opening of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, President of Russia Vladimir Putin said that Russia invites interested countries to cooperate in the development of the Northern Sea Route.

“China is ready to cooperate with Russia in various spheres, including in the Arctic, based on the principles of respect, equality and mutual benefit,” Mao Ning said when answering a question about whether China was interested in cooperation with Russia on developing the Northern Sea Route.