The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn met the Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China Ms. Chen Zhili on Tuesday.

V. Lytvyn stressed high level of mutual understanding and trust and the intensity of contacts and cooperation that characterize the relations between Ukraine and the People?s Republic of China. "I am convinced that there is much more to our relations than just the standard criteria of cooperation between the countries," he added.

The Head of the Parliament stressed that Ukrainian-Chinese relations develop progressively and there are now all the necessary preconditions for further dynamic development of Ukrainian-Chinese relations of strategic partnership.

V. Lytvyn claimed that Ukraine is interested in supporting high dynamics of political contacts with the P.R.C. In this context, he noted that the planned visits of the President of Ukraine to China, and of the Vice President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Wen Jiabao are considered in our state as important steps to intensification of collaboration in all spheres.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada is also convinced that signing of the Program of Development of Strategic Partnership Relations between Ukraine and the P.R.C. for 2012-2016 will facilitate practical implementation of prospective spheres of bilateral cooperation and create fundamentals for future conclusion of an inter-state Agreement on Principles of Strategic Partnership.

"Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of our states is a steady basis for successful development of Ukrainian-Chinese relations," claimed V. Lytvyn and noted that our attitude remains consistent and unchangeable: Ukraine keeps to the policy of recognizing "single China" with its capital in Beijing.

In this context he expressed conviction that the visit of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo to Ukraine would facilitate intensification of Ukrainian-Chinese parliamentary cooperation. V. Lytvyn noted also that the Ukrainian Parliament would gladly welcome the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress Li Zhaoxing.

The Head of the Parliament stressed also the importance of intensifying trade and economic cooperation and noted that this sphere of bilateral cooperation should be brought to a qualitatively new level.

He supported extension of investment cooperation and cooperation between business circles of the two countries.

In her turn, Ms. Chen Zhili stressed that the present visit to Ukraine is aimed at bringing to life the agreements reached at the top level and giving impetus to development of bilateral relations.

She emphasized active and extensive celebration of the important historical date 20^th anniversary of diplomatic relations in both countries and noted that our countries had undergone a complicated but effective way that culminated in establishment of strategic partnership in 2011.

"Our countries have always supported each other in the key issues and coordinated their stands in regard to important local and international problems," said the Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China.

According to the information of the Chinese Party, goods turnover between our countries has reached USD 10 billion and, according to Ms. Chen Zhili, the P.R.C. strives for doubling this indicator.

The Parties paid a special attention to cooperation in cultural and humanitarian, and scientific and technical spheres. They noted that both Ukrainian and Chinese societies get ever more mutually interested in learning languages, literature, history, traditions and culture.

In particular, V. Lytvyn informed that the popularity of Chinese in Ukraine had grown over the last years. According to him, "the Chinese language" as a major can be studied in seven Ukrainian universities; in particular, about 100 students are mastering it at the T. Shevchenko National University. Four Confucius Institutes operate in Ukraine. Almost 8 thousand Chinese students receive their education there.

He believes that the increase of educational exchanges between our countries would facilitate further increase of interest of Ukrainian and Chinese youth to learning language and receiving education at higher educational institutions of our countries.

The Head of the Parliament gave a high estimation to the results of work of the Ukrainian-Chinese Forum of Rectors. The heads of 19 Ukrainian and 14 Chinese higher educational institutions participated in the Forum. "I hope that this Forum will become the place to exchange experience and collaborate," he said. "Our countries have mutual interest in learning about each other."

"Ukraine is open for China," said V. Lytvyn. "Therefore, your visit is of great importance for us and we hope to see further development of fruitful cooperation."