Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 07/16/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= CHINA / RUSSIA / TREATY (S)

NUMBER=2-278267

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Russian President Vladimir Putin sign a friendship pact today (Monday) in Moscow aimed at setting the course of future relations between the two countries. Larry James reports from the Russian capital.

TEXT: Russia and China are describing the "Good Neighbor Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation" as a reliable guarantee that will lay down a solid basis for long-term and stable relations.

The treaty -- which includes promises to respect each other's borders and territorial integrity -- is the first major agreement between Russia and China since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. It is also their first official declaration of friendship since a 1969 Chinese-Soviet border war.

The principle topic of discussion during Mr. Jiang's visit here is the proposed U-S missile defense shield. Both Russia and China oppose it and both issued strong objections the most-recent U-S test of the system, Saturday and Sunday.

Mr. Putin will take those concerns to Italy this week when he meets President Bush ahead of the G-Eight summit.

NEB/LDJ/WD