On June 20, 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych in Kiev. The two heads of state exchanged in-depth views and reached important consensus on further developing the bilateral relations and other issues of common concern. They jointly announced the decision of establishing and developing the strategic partnership between China and Ukraine.

Hu pointed out that the bilateral relations in general have developed steadily since China and Ukraine established diplomatic ties nearly 20 years ago. The two countries enjoy ever increasing political mutual trust, understand and support each other on issues of concern and communicate and coordinate closely in both regional and international affairs. The bilateral cooperation on trade and economy, science and technology develops soundly with remarkable achievements. The cultural exchanges and contacts at local levels between the two sides remain active. The bilateral relations have maintained the momentum of all-round rapid development since the beginning of this year. The two countries have launched the Cooperation Committee mechanism and keep close communications and collaboration in international affairs, which plays an important role of safeguarding peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

He said that China always attaches great importance to developing relations with Ukraine, handles the bilateral ties from a strategic height and long-term perspective and regards Ukraine as a friendly country and a key partner in Eurasia. Today, the two countries jointly announced the decision of establishing and developing China-Ukraine strategic partnership, finalizing the new positioning of the bilateral relations. It is a major decision made by both countries in line with the profound changes in the regional and international situations, with the purpose of promoting the development of bilateral ties and conforming to the aspiration of people of both sides. China expects to take this opportunity to work with Ukraine to reinforce the bilateral strategic cooperation and open a new stage of bilateral relations.

He raised four proposals on developing China-Ukraine relations. Firstly, strengthen the political mutual trust and mutual support and consolidate the political foundation of China-Ukraine strategic partnership. The two countries should enhance mutual understanding and trust and expand consensus through high-level exchanges and consultations at different levels and adhere to the general direction of development of bilateral strategic partnership. Secondly, push forward the pragmatic cooperation comprehensively and consolidate the material foundation of China-Ukraine strategic partnership. The two sides should give full play to the role of China-Ukraine Cooperation Committee mechanism in planning and coordination, make best use of the platform of China-Ukraine Business Council, fully stimulate the enthusiasm of the government agencies, local governments and enterprises of both sides and comprehensively lift up the bilateral pragmatic cooperation mainly through large projects cooperation. Thirdly, broaden cultural exchanges and consolidate the social foundation of China-Ukraine strategic partnership. China and Ukraine should take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of bilateral ties next year to promote the friendly exchanges between the cultural organizations, academic bodies and youth organizations of the two countries. China supports Ukraine in eliminating the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear accident and will invite 200 children from the disaster area to recuperate in China next summer. Fourthly, reinforce cooperation in regional and international affairs and extend the multilateral foundation of China-Ukraine strategic partnership. China supports Ukraine to play a bigger role in both regional and international affairs and expects to deepen collaboration and step up communications and collaboration with Ukraine in the United Nations and other international organizations in order to jointly protect the basic interest of both countries and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the entire world.

Yanukovych expressed complete agreement on Hu's proposals about developing the bilateral relations and noted that China is a major partner of Ukraine in Asia and the Pacific. The two countries highly trust and understand each other and the bilateral cooperation in various fields develops comprehensively. The two heads of state reached important consensus on developing the bilateral relations last year. Since then the bilateral pragmatic cooperation has grown rapidly and trade volume increased considerably. The Cooperation Committee between Ukraine and China has played an important part of boosting the bilateral trade and economic cooperation and the Business Council is very helpful of promoting the cooperation between business communities of both countries. Investment of Chinese enterprises is welcomed in Ukraine.

He stressed that Ukraine and China share a big potential of trade and economic cooperation. His country is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China, strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, finance, aerospace, agriculture, science and technology, energy and transport, expand cooperation at local levels and in the cultural sector, boost exchanges in the fields of education, sport, tourism and health as well as human resources training, strengthen the friendship and feeling between the two peoples and step up consultations and coordination on regional and international issues. Ukraine expects to work with China to raise the bilateral cooperation to a higher level and constantly push forward the bilateral strategic partnership.

Prior to the talks, Hu laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and attended the welcome ceremony held by Yanukovych. At the end of their meeting, the two heads of state participated in the signing ceremony of bilateral cooperation documents, signed the Joint Statement on Establishing and Developing the Strategic Partnership between China and Ukraine and jointly met the press.

On the evening, Hu attended the welcome banquet hosted by Yanukovych.

On the afternoon of June 19, Hu visited the Great Patriotic War Memorial Complex and met with the staffs of Chinese embassy in Ukraine and representatives of local Chinese-invested organizations, overseas Chinese and Chinese students studying in the country.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo were present at those activities.