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"Sino-russian

co-ap pleadge

not an alliance"

BEIJING: Closer cooperation and a pledge by Russian President Boris Yeltsin and China's Jiang Zemin for a strategic 21st century partnership did not herald an alliance, their foreign ministers said on Thursday.

Both countries understand the importance of enhancing bilateral ties, Xinhua news agency quoted Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov as telling his Chinese counterpart Qian Qichen at a breakfast meeting.

"The development of this relationship represents no expedient step," Primakov was quoted as saying. "This point is very important."

The two agreed that the furthering of a Sino-Russian constructive partnership was of strategic significance, but the seeking of comprehensive common interests and closer cooperation "does not mean that the two countries will form an alliance", Xinhua said.-Reuter