MOSCOW, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia-China relations are a model for major countries to follow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday.

"The course of consolidating Russia-China relations, which we consider a model for responsible major countries in the 21st century, remains unchanged," Lavrov said while speaking to the State Duma, or Russia's lower house of parliament.

He noted that foreign policy cooperation between Moscow and Beijing has served as a "key factor in maintaining global stability."

"Our relationship with China is indeed experiencing an unusually intense, confidential, friendly and efficient rise," Lavrov said, adding that the two nations' friendship has not been directed against any other state.

The top Russian diplomat said that bilateral ties do not depend on Moscow or Beijing's relations with other countries, such as the United States.

"We would like to see Russia, the United States and China develop relations together," he said.