BEIJING, January 19. /TASS/. China is ready to expand its strategic cooperation with Russia to promote the democratization of international relations and build a more just and rational world order, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a briefing on Thursday.

"In the new year, China is ready to work with Russia on bolstering strategic ties and deepening practical cooperation in order to contribute more to the promotion of the democratization of international relations, the formation of a more just and rational international order and the facilitation of building a community with a shared future for mankind," the diplomat explained.

He also stressed that "under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, Russian-Chinese relations took a new path of harmonious coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between the neighboring countries."

Earlier on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that the relations between Russia and China are currently experiencing their best moment in history. The Russian top diplomat described the ties between the two countries as trusting, pragmatic, mutually respectful and based on a balance of interests.