Russia might be facing difficulty due to economic sanctions imposed by some western countries but China continues to see it as a major and influential world power.

Gui Congyou, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of European-Central Asian Affairs, said China has always considered Russia as a major power even as other western countries view it as a second-rate country.

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In an interview with Russian journalists in Beijing, Gui said China has noted the discriminatory approach demonstrated by some western countries to Russia, especially after imposing economic sanctions.

However, China, the world's second-largest economy, continues to believe that Russia remains an influential country and a major world power.

It also sees Russia as equal to China in terms of aggregate might.

"Some western countries are demonstrating a discriminatory approach to Russia. China has always considered Russia to be a major power rather than a second-rate country," Gui was quoted as saying.

Russian economy is facing difficulty due to western sanctions following its stance on the Crimea-crisis.

Meanwhile, China and Russia are set to stage their first joint naval drill in the South China Sea, although Chinese authorities remain mum on the exact location of the drill.

Without giving enough details, the Chinese defense ministry said the drill, codenamed "Join Sea-2016" will take place in September.

The planned drill will take place just months after an international court in The Hague rejected China's claims.

Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui earlier said that the ruling made by the ad hoc arbitral tribunal in The Hague on the claim of the Philippines in the South China Sea has no legal basis.

Russia, however, joins other nations, including the United States, in calling for a diplomatic solution to the South China Sea disputes.

TagsChina-Russia, China Russia Drill, china russia relationship