OREANDA-NEWS. September 26, 2013. Bilateral strategic relations between Ukraine and the People's Republic of China are reaching a new level of partnership. This was started by the First Vice Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov during the second meeting of the Ukrainian-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation.

Serhiy Arbuzov also met with the co-head of the Commission, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Ma Kai. By the results of the meeting the parties signed the final protocol.

"Ukraine attaches great importance to the development of relations with China. We consider China as a strategic partner of Ukraine and as foreign trade key partner in the Asia-Pacific region. We have all the prerequisites for further development of bilateral cooperation," Serhiy Arbuzov said.

He noted that there was laid a solid foundation for Ukrainian-Chinese strategic partnership. And a joint hard work at the end of last year ended with the signing of two major loan agreements: on the financing of projects in the Ukrainian agricultural sector in the amount of USD 3 billion, as well as projects in the energy sector of Ukraine amounting to almost USD 3.7 billion.

First vice Prime Minister also said that the key event of the year should be a visit of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych to China.

The main documents that will be signed within during the next visit are a five-year program of strategic partnership between Ukraine and China, as well as an agreement of friendship and cooperation between countries.

Serhiy Arbuzov also stressed that Ukraine considers China as a key partner in military and technical sphere. According to the First vice Prime Minister, positive results are already seen.

"I’m convinced that by the results of our work and exchange of views will be produced overall strategy for further cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, cultural, space, agriculture and education sectors," Serhiy Arbuzov said.

He stressed that the Government of Ukraine and representatives of business are opened for dialogue with Chinese partners.

In turn, the Chinese side noted that establishment between the two countries a strategic partnership in 2011 contributed to the deepening of cooperation and filled it with practical sense. According to the co-chair of the Commission, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Ma Kai, the Chinese side is satisfied with the comprehensive intensification of bilateral cooperation. He also said that China has become an important partner of Ukraine in foreign trade and credit agreements signed before a total of USD 7.1 billion, contributed the dynamic development of cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure and energy.