Beijing, 18 July 2000 (RFE/RL) -- Presidents Jiang Zemin of China and
Vladimir Putin of Russia issued today in Beijing a joint statement opposing
the proposed U.S. national missile defense system.
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry called the defense system
plan a serious threat to the existing Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty that
would lead to new international arms race.
Putin is in China for a two-day visit. He and Jiang also signed a series of bilateral cooperative agreements, including such topics as banking and energy development. Putin is to leave tomorrow for North Korea tomorrow, plans to be in Japan Friday to attend a summit of industrialized nations.
Jiang gave Putin a red carpet welcome today with a 21-gun salute at Tiananmen Square in. Afterwards, Putin and Jiang entered the parliament building for talks.
Putin arrived in Beijing late yesterday, starting a three-country Asian tour.
Putin is in China for a two-day visit. He and Jiang also signed a series of bilateral cooperative agreements, including such topics as banking and energy development. Putin is to leave tomorrow for North Korea tomorrow, plans to be in Japan Friday to attend a summit of industrialized nations.
Jiang gave Putin a red carpet welcome today with a 21-gun salute at Tiananmen Square in. Afterwards, Putin and Jiang entered the parliament building for talks.
Putin arrived in Beijing late yesterday, starting a three-country Asian tour.