China joins Russia, opposes NATO enlargement

China has joined Russia in opposing further NATO enlargement as the two countries move closer in the face of Western pressure.

Moscow and Beijing issued a statement indicating agreement on a range of issues during Vladimir Putin's visit to Russia for the Winter Olympics.

In it, Moscow said it supported China's stance on Taiwan and opposed the island's independence.

It comes amid tensions over Ukraine. Russia denies it is planning to invade.

Putin and China's Xi Jinping held talks ahead of the opening ceremony of the Winter Games.

The Kremlin has said the talks between the leaders were "very warm" and constructive.

The two countries' long joint statement accuses NATO of backing a Cold War ideology and also says they are concerned about the Aukus security pact between the US, UK and Australia.

Russia, meanwhile, has said it supports Beijing One China's policy, which claims that self-governing Taiwan is a breakaway province that will eventually be part of China again.

However, Taiwan sees itself as an independent country, with its own constitution and democratically elected leaders.

"There are no prohibited areas of co-operation," the statement said, according to a Kremlin translation.

However, the Russian-Chinese statement does not refer to Ukraine, which is subject to escalating tensions between Russia and the West.

Source: BBC