The Russian Defence Minister, Igor Sergeyev, has ended a visit to China having reached agreement on a number of issues with his Chinese hosts.

Speaking just before his departure, Mr Sergeyev confirmed that the two countries planned to expand military co-operation.

He also denounced a possible American-Japanese plan to develop an anti-missile defence system in Asia saying it may destroy the balance of power in the region and slow down the process of reducing strategic weapons.

And he reiterated their opposition to NATO expansion, and the use of airstrikes against Serbia.

The Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, is scheduled to visit Moscow next month.