BBC News Online: World: Asia-Pacific

The presidential hotline between China and Russia is open

China and Russia have opened a presidential telephone hotline link -- the first between China and a foreign country.

The foreign ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said the Beijing-Moscow link would facilitate understanding and trust.

Last week, the American Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and China's Foreign Minister, Tang Jiaxuan, also signed an agreement to set up a secure direct line between their countries.

It's thought this might be opened during President Clinton's visit to China next month. .

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service