CHINA: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN VISIT WRAP

(18 Jul 2000) Russian/Nat
Russian President Vladimir Putin was formally welcomed by his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin at a military ceremony near Tiananmen Square on Tuesday.
The two leaders watched a guard of honour and various other military activities performed by the Chinese armed forces.
Mr Putin was then given the red carpet treatment before leaving for discussions with high ranking Chinese political figures - including Mr Zemin.
The two presidents have denounced U-S plans to build an anti-missile shield and agreed to closer cooperation on international affairs.
They wrapped up nearly three hours of closed-door talks with a very public signing ceremony.
Among the five documents signed, one ventured beyond bilateral ties to criticise the United States for planning the high-tech missile defence.
With U-S President Bill Clinton expected to make a decision this year on whether to build the system, China and Russia are intensifying their criticism.
Aside from taking aim at the United States, China and Russia signed agreements on banking and energy cooperation.
One accord will see Russia build an experimental fast neutron reactor in China.
Tuesday's meeting was Jiang and Putin's second in three weeks, and follows their previous encounter at the Central Asian summit.
Jiang and Putin said their talks cemented already strong ties.
Putin said their goal was "to coordinate cooperation between our two countries on international affairs" as well as economic and technological issues.
Once bitter rivals for the allegiance of the communist world, Beijing and Moscow began improving ties in the late 1980s.
In recent years, they have found common cause in concerns about U-S dominance in world affairs.
But while declaring their relations a "strategic partnership," China and Russia can ill afford to alienate
the United States.
Their economic fortunes largely depend on foreign investment, whose flow is aided by smooth relations with the West.
Beijing's large-scale purchases of Russian weapons aside, trade remains at frustratingly low levels between China and Russia despite repeated vows by their leaders to boost economic ties.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"I hope with the effort of both Russia and China the final Russian strategic partnership will be strengthened in the new century. And we wish a successful visit to President Putin."
SUPER CAPTION: Jiang Zemin, Chinese President
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Our common position in keeping the existing balance is very important and the principal is to maintain the situation which appears in today's world. We plan to keep this position together with our Chinese colleagues."
SUPER CAPTION: Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"And today, President Jiang Zemin has mentioned a famous Chinese proverb 'Close neighbours are more important than distant relatives'. "
SUPER CAPTION: Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...