Chinese president calls for closer cooperation with Ukraine

  Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov in Kiev, Ukraine, June 20, 2011. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

KIEV, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday called for the enhancement of cooperation between his country and Ukraine.

Hu, during a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, said bilateral cooperation in the fields such as trade, major joint projects, investment and high-technology should be strengthened.

Hu said next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Ukraine. Both sides should explore advantages and potential for cooperation, so as to elevate bilateral cooperation to a higher level, he said.

Hu asked both sides to expand the scale of bilateral trade, optimize trade mix, and increase the ratio of high value-added and high-tech products in trade.

He also urged the two governments to create better conditions for smooth implementation of their major cooperation projects.

The Chinese government encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest in Ukraine and would continue to provide financial support for major China-Ukraine cooperation projects, he added.

Hu also called for the deepening of high-tech cooperation in aviation, ship-making, biological information engineering, new material development and utilization.

Azarov said Hu's visit is of vital historic significance, and the talks between Hu and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich opened a new chapter in bilateral relations.

The Ukrainian government will carry out the consensus on bilateral relations reached by the two heads of state and make every effort to push forward bilateral cooperation in various fields, he said.

The prime minister also said Ukraine-China cooperation has great potential, and Ukraine is willing to join hands with China to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, transportation, aviation, energy and high technology, so as to advance the bilateral strategic partnership.

He also said his government will, together with the Chinese side, properly organize various celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

As a relevant development, Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo, who is accompanying Hu in the visit, attended a pact-signing ceremony between China and Ukraine.

The cooperation pacts cover a wide range of fields like agriculture, energy, power generation, and science and technology.