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Ukraine ties rejuvenated by 'epochal' state visit

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Beijing and Kiev signed 13 agreements on Thursday, the first day of the Ukrainian president's state visit to China, in what analysts are predicting could be the beginning of a new "Silk Road".

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych spent the opening day of his four-day state visit meeting with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao. Both leaders agreed to lift their ties in a comprehensive way.

Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovich (L) and China's President Hu Jintao shake hands in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing September 2, 2010.[Photo/Xinhua]

The agreements marked a new beginning in the relationship between the two countries, which had come to a standstill under Ukraine's previous president Viktor Yushchenko.

Apart from boosting their political relationship, the two sides also signed 12 agreements on technology, infrastructure and credit cooperation, including programs of cooperation in exploring and using space for peaceful purposes in 2011-2015.

An agreement was also signed securing China's credit support to a 30-km railway project and construction of auxiliary facilities for an airport in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, which will take three years before completion. The railway project, contracted to a Chinese firm, will cost $950 million and construction will begin next year.

The two countries also agreed to push forward trade deals to approximately $10 billion in 2012, about five times that of 2009.

China has always attached importance to ties with the East European country, which bridges Asia and Europe.

Strategically located it has strong cultural and political links with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as well as trade links with the European Union (EU).

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