20-7-2023 (BEIJING) Ukraine’s deputy economy minister, Taras Kachka, made a significant diplomatic move by holding talks with China’s vice commerce minister, Ling Ji, in Beijing on Thursday. This visit marks the first time a Ukrainian government official has engaged in high-level discussions with China since 2019, signifying potential shifts in diplomatic and economic ties amidst Ukraine’s “no limits” partnership with Moscow.
The meeting between Taras Kachka and Ling Ji took place on Thursday morning, according to a reliable source familiar with the matter. However, simultaneous to these diplomatic engagements, tensions escalated in Ukraine, with reports of a Russian attack on China’s Consulate General building in Odesa on Wednesday night (Kyiv time). The extent of the damage and the precise timing of the attack concerning the meeting in Beijing remain unclear.
During the meeting, Ling Ji expressed China’s willingness to expand imports of quality products from Ukraine, emphasizing their commitment to fostering mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation between the two nations. The Chinese vice commerce minister also proposed establishing cooperative relations between the investment promotion agencies of both countries to further facilitate trade and investment cooperation.
On Ukraine’s side, Taras Kachka articulated the country’s aspirations to expand the export of agricultural products to China. He also assured China of Ukraine’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese-funded enterprises operating within its borders.
The visit of Taras Kachka to Beijing commenced on Wednesday and is expected to conclude on Friday, as reported by a source familiar with the matter. This visit comes as a notable development, considering the last high-level visit by a senior Ukraine official to China was recorded in 2019.
Notably, this visit follows the appointment of Ukraine’s new ambassador, Pavlo Riabikin, who also held the position of Ukraine Minister for Strategic Industries before taking on his diplomatic role last month. This appointment fills a void left by his predecessor’s untimely passing in February 2021.
Amidst these developments, Russia’s recent decision to withdraw from a UN-backed grain export deal adds complexity to the geopolitical landscape. Additionally, Russia’s declaration of a “no limits” partnership with China, announced by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in February 2022, came just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, adding further implications to the diplomatic dynamics in the region.
