Russia and China will hold their first-ever joint military exercises in 2005, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told journalists in Beijing on 13 December. Ivanov did not specify the nature, scale, or date of the exercises. Ivanov said that his talks with Chinese leaders encompassed \"practically all aspects of relations in the military sphere, as well as security in the Asia-Pacific region, the fight against terrorism, and the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.\" He said that the \"strategic partnership\" between the two countries continues to develop. Ivanov added that Moscow is watching the situation with regard to Taiwan closely, saying that Russia \"opposes separatism.\" \"Russia\'s position on Taiwan is principled and our Chinese friends know this well,\" Ivanov said. (ITAR-TASS)