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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Presidents condemn US shield plan | Presidents condemn US shield plan |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Russia and China have condemned a US plan for a missile defence shield, saying it will set back international disarmament efforts. | Russia and China have condemned a US plan for a missile defence shield, saying it will set back international disarmament efforts. |
| Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the joint statement with Chinese President Hu Jintao while in Beijing on his first official foreign trip. | Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the joint statement with Chinese President Hu Jintao while in Beijing on his first official foreign trip. |
| The US says the missile system is key to its own security and that of allies. | The US says the missile system is key to its own security and that of allies. |
| Both Russia and China have opposed the plans in the past but this is the first time they have come together to do so. | Both Russia and China have opposed the plans in the past but this is the first time they have come together to do so. |
| The US, which wants to locate a radar base in the Czech Republic and an interceptor missile site in Poland, says the system will offer protection against missiles fired from states like Iran and North Korea. | The US, which wants to locate a radar base in the Czech Republic and an interceptor missile site in Poland, says the system will offer protection against missiles fired from states like Iran and North Korea. |
| However, the plans have soured US-Russian ties, with Moscow fearing that the system could be used against Russia. | However, the plans have soured US-Russian ties, with Moscow fearing that the system could be used against Russia. |
| 'Harms trust' | 'Harms trust' |
| The joint statement from Presidents Medvedev and Hu came as the Russian leader began a two-day state visit to China, part of his first foreign trip since he assumed office on 7 May. | The joint statement from Presidents Medvedev and Hu came as the Russian leader began a two-day state visit to China, part of his first foreign trip since he assumed office on 7 May. |
| class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/5106762.stm">How the missile shield works | |
| "Both sides believe that creating a global missile defence system, including deploying such systems in certain regions of the world, or plans for such co-operation, do not help support strategic balance and stability, and harm international efforts to control arms and the non-proliferation process," it said. | "Both sides believe that creating a global missile defence system, including deploying such systems in certain regions of the world, or plans for such co-operation, do not help support strategic balance and stability, and harm international efforts to control arms and the non-proliferation process," it said. |
| "It harms the strengthening of trust between states and regional stability. In this respect [the two sides] express their concern." | "It harms the strengthening of trust between states and regional stability. In this respect [the two sides] express their concern." |
| Russia last month demanded it be granted permanent access to the planned US sites in eastern Europe, saying it would need to monitor their activities. | Russia last month demanded it be granted permanent access to the planned US sites in eastern Europe, saying it would need to monitor their activities. |
| China's neighbour, Japan, is also co-operating with the US on ship-based missile defence systems. | China's neighbour, Japan, is also co-operating with the US on ship-based missile defence systems. |
| Mr Medvedev and Mr Hu also witnessed the signing of a US$1bn (£500m) deal for Russia to build a nuclear fuel plant in China and supply semi-enriched uranium. | Mr Medvedev and Mr Hu also witnessed the signing of a US$1bn (£500m) deal for Russia to build a nuclear fuel plant in China and supply semi-enriched uranium. |