DATE=12/9/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=CHINA-RUSSIA (L) NUMBER=2-256989 BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON DATELINE=BEIJING CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: Russian President Boris Yeltsin is in China for two days of informal talks that are aimed at increasing cooperation on international issues and countering what the two countries perceive as the dominant role of the United States. VOA correspondent Roger Wilkison reports from Beijing, China welcomed Mr. Yeltsin with a strong statement of support for his government's military campaign in Chechnya. TEXT: Mr Yeltsin - released from the hospital earlier this week- looked pale and a bit unsteady as he descended from his aircraft. He was whisked off to the first of three scheduled meetings with Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who greeted him in Russian as an old friend. The two heads of state later witnessed the signing of agreements that effectively end a long border dispute that brought the two countries to blows 30 years ago. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov called the accords a new step in the strategic partnership Beijing and Moscow say they are building. Mr. Yeltsin arrived in Beijing as his government was facing a torrent of criticism for its military offensive in breakaway Chechnya. Western countries say the Russian military has caused unnecessary civilian casualties. But Mr. Ivanov said President Jiang expressed Chinese support for Russia's efforts to combat terrorism and extremism in Chechnya. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue -- speaking through an interpreter-- reiterated that message at a briefing for reporters. /////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY///// The Chinese side maintains that the Chechnya issue is purely an internal affair of Russia, a fact that has been widely acknowledged by the international community. The Chinese side understands and supports the efforts made by Russia in safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity. We have also taken note of the fact that - in their action in Chechnya - the Russian side has tried to avoid civilian losses. /////END ACTUALITY///// Russian sources say the two countries will issue a joint statement Friday denouncing separatism and international terrorism. The sources say the statement will stress that it is the sovereign right of independent states to resolve their own ethnic problems and that the international community should refrain from involvement in such questions. Both countries saw NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia over Kosovo, as a dangerous precedent for Western intervention on humanitarian grounds in their own affairs. Beijing and Moscow also share a deep suspicion and frustration over what they see as Washington's preponderant role in world affairs. Spokeswoman Zhang gave voice to that feeling on Thursday. /////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY///// Both leaders maintain that a multipolar world should be established without one country dominating in the world. /////END ACTUALITY///// China and Russia also want an end to Western criticism of their internal policies (signed) NEB/RW/FC/PLM 09-Dec-1999 06:05 AM EDT (09-Dec-1999 1105 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .