Russian executives are mostly men over the age of 40, earning around 220,000 rubles per month (the exchange rate between the ruble and the Chinese yuan is now around 1:10).

Sales directors at large state-owned enterprises are mostly young men between the ages of 30 and 40, earning roughly around 180,000 rubles a month. Russian President Vladimir Putin earns more than three million rubles a year, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev earns more than four million rubles a year, and government ministers all earn more than three million rubles a year. In contrast, the top Russian state enterprise bosses earn much more than top government officials: executives at Rosneft can earn up to 60 million rubles a year, and executives at the National Bank earn up to 40 million rubles a year.

The level of remuneration for heads of enterprises will depend on the complexity of their labor, the size of their management, the characteristics of their business and the importance of the enterprise, according to a description of the resolution posted simultaneously on the Russian government's website. The ceiling on the average remuneration of the heads of enterprises producing products of special importance, unique products and products of special strategic significance may be increased.

The average Russian also got more guarantees of life in the New Year 2015. From January 1, Russia's minimum wage increased by 411 rubles per month to 5965 rubles. According to the latest exchange rate, this minimum wage is equivalent to about 586 yuan.

In comparison, the minimum wage in several medium-sized Chinese provinces in 2014: 1,390 yuan in Jiangxi province, 1,400 yuan in Sichuan province, 1,500 yuan in Inner Mongolia, 1,250 yuan in Guizhou province, and 1,400 yuan in Henan province.