Putin says to expand ties with China

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that his country will expand cooperation with China and the bilateral relations are expected to be a considerable factor in global politics.

"We'll develop relations with China. We've never had such trusted relations," Putin said during a live chat with Russian citizens.

"Cooperation with China, including that in international issues, is at unprecedented level," he added.

He said the two countries have common views on the international situation and global security issues.

With joint exercises on land and at sea held within their borders, military mutual trust has also been strengthened, Putin said.

Russia-China ties "will significantly affect the contemporary architecture of international relations," said the president.

Meanwhile, he said Russia does not seek any military-political alliance with China as the world's "bloc-based system has long been outdated."

In 2012, Putin included China in his first foreign trip after assuming the Russian presidency. Xi Jinping, after his election as Chinese president last year, also chose Moscow to be the first foreign capital to visit as China's head of state.

Both leaders have vowed to push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries.