Obama, China Pres. Discuss Ukraine     03/10 07:37

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping 
(shee jihn-peeng) have agreed on the importance of upholding Ukraine's 
sovereignty and territorial integrity.

   The White House says the two leaders spoke Sunday evening. The White House 
says Obama and Xi have a shared interest in finding a peaceful resolution to 
the dispute between Ukraine and Russia and reducing tensions in the region.

   Russian military forces have taken control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. 
Lawmakers there plan to hold a referendum Sunday on whether to become part of 
Russia.

   China has frequently sided with Russia against the West. But Beijing also 
frequently argues on behalf of maintaining territorial sovereignty.


(KA)