DATE=12/7/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / RUSSIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256914
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China is expressing strong support for
Russia's military campaign in Chechnya on the eve of a
visit to Beijing by Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
V-O-A correspondent Roger Wilkison reports Mr. Yeltsin
will spend three days in China and hold an informal
summit with Chinese President Jiang Zemin Thursday and
Friday.
TEXT: China's foreign ministry says the two leaders
plan to exchange views on strengthening the strategic
partnership between China and Russia and will also
discuss the international situation. After decades of
tension, relations between the two giants have
improved considerably in recent years. China has
become a top customer for Russian military hardware.
Beijing and Moscow are both wary of mounting U-S
influence in international affairs and -- even though
Beijing denies it -- their so-called strategic
partnership is aimed at counterbalancing Washington's
global clout.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue
declined to say whether Russia's three-month offensive
in the breakaway Chechen region will be on the
summit's agenda -- saying that is up to the two heads
of state. But -- speaking through an interpreter --
she made clear where Beijing stands on the issue.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
The issue of Chechnya is purely Russia's internal
affair. And the international community has
acknowledged this fact. The Chinese side understands
and supports the efforts made by Russia to maintain
its national unification and territorial integrity.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
China has its own troubles with ethnic Uighur Muslims
in its far-western Xinjiang region, but Ms. Zhang
refused to discuss whether Beijing's position on
Chechnya is motivated by its own problems.
In a clear dig at (reference to) the United States,
the Chinese spokeswoman says her government does not
make irresponsible remarks about the internal affairs
of other countries.
In addition holding talks with President Jiang, Mr.
Yeltsin will meet with China's number-two leader,
Legislative Chief Li Peng, and with Premier Zhu
Rongji. Ms. Zhang says she does not know whether the
two countries will sign any agreements during Mr.
Yeltsin's visit. (Signed)
NEB / RW / WD
07-Dec-1999 05:40 AM EDT (07-Dec-1999 1040 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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