China's acquisition of a new Russian-built destroyer will increase the threat to Taiwan's security, according to the island's defence ministry.

A Taiwanese military spokesman said the Sovremenny-class guided-missile destroyer was expected "soon".

Media reports in Taipei say that it is likely to pass through the Taiwan Strait on Friday or Saturday night.

First of two

"With a new warship joining their navy, the Chinese communists are expected to emerge as a greater threat to Taiwan and the entire Asia Pacific region as well," a defence ministry spokesman said.

The 7,600-tonne destroyer is the first of two which Beijing ordered from Russia in 1997 in a $1b deal.

It was delivered to the Chinese navy in St Petersburg on 25 December, and is equipped with sophisticated Sunburn surface-to-surface missiles.

The second destroyer is to be delivered later this year. Deliveries will follow a steady build-up of the Chinese fleet over the past three years.

The purchase of the two warships is reported to have been prompted by the despatch of two US aircraft carrier battle groups to waters near Taiwan in 1996.

Show of strength

The move came after Beijing put on a show of naval strength to coincide with Taiwan's presidential election.

Taiwan's next presidential election is due on 18 March.

Although Taiwan and the US do not have a military alliance, Washington is bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to sell the island sufficient weapons for its defence.

Taiwanese defence experts say the arrival of the new warships may spur the navy into seeking to purchase US-built Aegis destroyers.

US defence analysts are concerned about the increasingly close military co-operation between Russia and China.

Satellite positioning

Last month the Russian Government said the two countries were close to an agreement that would enable China to use Russia's satellite-based global positioning system for targeting its rockets.

The analysts say China may be building up its navy in order to make the USA hesitate before going to Taiwan's defence.

Beijing has often said that any move by Taiwan to complete independence could trigger a conflict.