Ukraine and China in 2011 may reach record levels of bilateral trade, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Raisa Bohatyriova said at the round table "The Past and the present of Ukrainian-Chinese diplomatic relations. A Path to Strategic Partnership," held in Beijing, the China-based UKRINFORM correspondent reported.

"This year we can confidently speak about reaching the record level of bilateral trade," Bohatyriova emphasized. According to available data, in 2011 a task set the by leaders of state to increase turnover to USD 10 billion will be achieved.

The NSDC Secretary assured that the sides will continue practical cooperation in the fields of aviation and space exploration, science and technology, economy and trade, culture and military-industrial sector.

"We also look forward to the active development of contacts in the field of medicine, tourism, education, finance, agriculture, and regional cooperation. Ukraine and China have huge potential for development of partnership in these areas," she added. Particularly, Bohatyriova named the agro-industrial sector.

In turn, Li Yang, the Vice-President of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, assured that "China attaches great importance to developing relations with Ukraine - a strategic partner of China".

He expressed confidence that relations between the two countries in the coming years will be developing very rapidly, especially in such areas as investment, space technology, agriculture, energy, environmental technology.

In his opinion, cooperation in the international arena - both in politics and economy will be strengthened.

The 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and China will be celebrated January 4, 2012.

Ukrinform