NEW LEVEL: Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang and Ukrainian First Vice Prime Minister Andrey Kluev shake hands after signing an agreement on launching an intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation in Kiev on April 20 (LU JINBO)

Recently, China and Ukraine have taken their cooperation to a higher level. On April 20, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang and Ukrainian First Vice Prime Minister Andrey Kluev co-chaired the first meeting of an intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation in Kiev.

A week before this, on April 13-14, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov visited China. Consensus was reached on various issues between the two countries. His visit, along with the launch of the commission, signaled a new beginning in Sino-Ukrainian relations.

History

The friendly relations between China and Ukraine can be traced back to the 1950s. At that time, China received assistance from experts from the former Soviet Union, including those from Ukraine.

On January 4, 1992, China officially established diplomatic relations with Ukraine. It was one of the first countries in the world to recognize Ukraine and establish diplomatic relations with it.

In October of the same year, Leonid Kravchuk, the first President of Ukraine, paid a state visit to China. During his visit, the two countries signed a series of cooperative agreements. The visit marked the turning of a new page in Sino-Ukrainian relations.

The two countries signed the Statement on Developing and Deepening the Friendly Relations of Cooperation Between China and Ukraine in Beijing on December 4, 1995. This lifted their relations to a new level—a constructive partnership.

On July 21, 2001, the Joint Statement on Strengthening All-Around Bilateral Friendly Relations of Cooperation in the 21st Century Between China and Ukraine was signed. According to the statement, the two sides will intensify efforts to expand cooperation in the 21st century.

The year 2010 was another year of great significance for the two countries. In 2010, the two countries' presidents held two meetings, at which they reached a wide range of agreements on boosting Sino-Ukrainian relations.

On September 2, 2010, China and Ukraine signed a joint statement, agreeing to upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership. Since then, the governments of the two countries have been implementing their agreements and striving to promote cooperation in political, business and academic fields.

Achievements

Over the past 19 years since China and Ukraine established diplomatic relations, they have achieved a great deal through cooperation.

Generally speaking, the two countries have enjoyed a good political relationship based on equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. The two sides have neither historical disputes nor substantial differences on international political issues. In recent years, frequent exchanges of high-level visits have strengthened mutual trust. China and Ukraine share the same or similar views on many issues including the UN reform, climate change and nuclear non-proliferation. Therefore, they have cooperated smoothly in international affairs.