Ukraine, China agree to build multipolar, harmonious world

Ukraine and China will strive to build a truly strategic relationship and cooperate actively in the international arena, according to a joint statement signed on Thursday in Beijing by leaders of the two countries, Viktor Yanukovych and Hu Jintao, following their negotiations, an UKRINFORM correspondent reported from China.

"Both sides will continue joint efforts aimed at filling the bilateral relations with strategic content, as well as establishing strategic partnership," the statement reads. The parties also declared a mutual support in matters relating to sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two states.

A particular attention is paid to nuclear security guarantees. The Chinese side highly appreciated the Ukrainian decision to abandon unilaterally nuclear weapons and accede in the status of non-nuclear state to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the document says. Beijing confirmed the previous statements of the Chinese government in 1994 on China's principled position on the non-use of nuclear weapons and the threat of its use against non-nuclear states and nuclear-free zones, stressing that it also extends to Ukraine. The parties are ready to hold consultations on the further strengthening of nuclear-free security guarantees.

Ukraine and China agreed on a joint response to global challenges, the observance and protection of international law. The states stressed the need for "the formation of a multipolar world and the democratization of international relations in order to ensure a more harmonious world, which will be dominated by long-term peace and common prosperity".

Viktor Yanukovych and Hu Jintao noted that the international security situation as a whole becomes less tense, but there are still factors of instability and uncertainty. The parties agreed to enhance coordination at the bilateral and multilateral levels to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, conjointly combat international terrorism, transnational crime and other non-traditional security threats.

The Ukrainian and Chinese leaders outlined the central role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace, security and development.

Ukraine and China also agreed to establish a commission on bilateral cooperation with co-chairmen at the level of deputy prime ministers of both countries, the statement reads.

UKRINFORM