China warns against US hegemony

The Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, has called for a new world order to counter the dominance of the United States.

Speaking at the Moscow State University, President Jiang - who is on the third day of a state visit to Russia - said Beijing and Moscow bore a responsibility for maintaining world peace.

He said a friendship treaty, signed by China and Russia on Monday, was aimed at protecting global security.

The agreement was the first major treaty between the two countries since the collapse of the Soviet Union 10 years ago.

China and Russia have led opposition to the American missile defence system, which they say will end the global security structure of the last three decades by destroying the 1972 anti-ballistic missile pact.

Observers say they are worried that it could be used against their own strategic arsenal.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service