Moscow welcomes the opening of a Russian language channel by China Central Television (CCTV), a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

CCTV, a national TV station, launched a channel broadcast in the Russian language on Thursday.

"We hail this step as a milestone event within the framework of the Year of the Russian Language in China," Andrei Nesterenko told a regular news briefing.

"We believe this will help expand the Russian people's knowledge about China and strengthen mutual understanding between our countries," said the diplomat.

CCTV, which has broadcast in the English, French, Spanish and Arabic languages, said the Russian channel is expected to serve a potential 300-million audience in members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eastern Europe and the Baltic states.

Source: Xinhua