Russia and China have condemned a US plan for a global missile defence shield, saying it will set back international disarmament efforts.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a joint statement with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing.

The US says the shield, parts of which it plans to deploy in Europe, 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. 

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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.

"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."

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Source (British): BBC