BEIJING, December 5. /TASS/. China respects Moscow’s domestic and foreign policies and keeps building up the strategic partnership with Russia, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told TASS, when asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s message to the Federal Assembly.

“We watched the Russian president’s statement with great interest. Russia is our good neighbour and a comprehensive strategic partner. The level of trust and cooperation between our countries is very high,” Hua said.

“We respect the road taken by the Russian nation, including its domestic and foreign policies,” she said. “China is determined to keep building up the strategic partnership with Russia."

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the Federal Assembly with his annual message in the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. In his more than one-hour-long address Putin said that the western sanctions were part of the policy of containment. He declared economic liberalization, proposed an offshore amnesty and urged harsh measures against attempts to profiteer on the exchange rate of the rouble.