Russia reassures China over Nato

The two men also discussed what was described as their countries' strategic partnership.

Mr Ivanov's is in China for talks on security issues and military co-operation which are expected to focus on supplies of advanced Russian weaponry to Beijing.

China is the largest buyer of Russian weapons, accounting for 40% of Russian exports.

Correspondents say the visit is seen as significant because it comes just days after Russia formally established closer ties with Nato.

Mr Ivanov on Friday paid a courtesy visit to Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji ahead of formal talks on Saturday with his Chinese counterpart Chi Haotian, Russian diplomatic sources in Beijing said.

"Mr Ivanov briefed the Chinese president on the news of the Nato summit as well as the recent summit between President Putin and President Bush," a Russian embassy official told AFP news agency.

Mr Ivanov is expected to reassure the Chinese that Russia's relationship with Nato will not jeopardise ties with Beijing.

"China and Russia are big influential countries in the world and are close neighbours and friends," Mr Jiang was quoted by China Central Television as saying.

Changing balance?

Analysts say China is wary of Russia warming towards the US-dominated alliance at the expense of the two countries' strategic relationship which has been aimed at balancing the United States.

China has welcomed Russia's new partnership with Nato but on Thursday hinted that the strategic partnership should be broad enough to accommodate the rest of the world.

"Ten years after the Cold War, we believe it is time now to stress the establishment of a world security system consisting mainly of the new view of security based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation," Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a news conference in Beijing.