China is not distancing itself from Russia, as US President Joe Biden believes, but is strengthening its partnership with Moscow, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

"China and Russia are developing stable and harmonious bilateral relations in the long term," he told a briefing, responding to a TASS request to comment on a statement by Biden.

"China is interested in cooperation with Russia, we are ready to constantly promote relations between our countries in the right direction," Zhao Lijian noted.

According to the Chinese diplomat, relations between Beijing and Moscow are not aimed at any third party. "We interact on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit," he said.

Earlier, Biden said he does not believe Russia and China are engaged in creating a bilateral alliance in light of current developments in global geopolitics. According to his version, the Chinese authorities are even trying to distance themselves somewhat from Russia.