Russian President Vladimir Putin held his yearly press conference Wednesday, in one of his last major public appearances before the country's March 2018 presidential election. The 2017 press conference was Putin's 13th since he first became president in 2000. Stronger ties between Russia and China are good for everyone, Putin said during the press conference, adding that Moscow and Beijing would remain long-term strategic partners regardless of the result of Russia’s 2018 presidential polls. He also told reporters that China was looking with great interest at Russia’s northern sea route in the Arctic which could significantly cut the time for shipments of goods between Asia and Europe. Putin said Russia would support China’s further involvement in Russian projects, including in the energy sector.