China and Russia vowed to promote steady growth in freight traffic along the Arctic shipping routes and increase the number of shipping services between Chinese and Russian ports, enhancing the routes' competitiveness, according to a joint communique released Wednesday.

The two countries agreed to broaden cooperation within the framework of the subcommittee on Arctic shipping routes cooperation under the committee for regular meetings between Chinese and Russian heads of government, said the communique issued after the 31st regular meeting in St. Petersburg.

They also agreed to promote mutually beneficial cooperation on building polar vessels and assist enterprises from both countries engaged in Arctic cooperation, it said.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang co-chaired the meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Wednesday.