Moscow stands for the consistent expansion of a dialogue between the Group of Eight (G8) and China, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said on Tuesday.

"We stand for the further consistent expansion of the dialogue between the G8 and the countries whose growing economic might is making them more and more significant players on the world arena," and "China is definitely among these countries," Yakovenko was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

Moscow absolutely disagrees with the opinion that Russia is not yet prepared to be a full member of the financial component of the G8, he told the Interfax.

Certain Western circles and some media outlets have lately alleged that Russia is lack of preparedness for the full membership of the financial G8. "We categorically disagree with this belief," Yakovenko said.

He stressed Russia has been a full member of the G8 since the 1997 summit in Denver. "Not a single issue on the agenda of G8 summits has been considered without Russia in the past years," he added.

The spokesman pointed out that Russia's international authority and influence, including that in the trade and economic and financial spheres, has significantly strengthened in the past several years.

He said that Russia's involvement in the financial G8 should be considered as "a gradual and evolutionary but an inevitable process.

Yakovenko stressed that Russia views the successful first presidency in G8 (in 2006) as one of the most important priorities in its foreign policy.

Source: Xinhua