Ukraine envoy offers support for one-China principle in Beijing talks

South China Morning Post:  Ukraine's ambassador in Beijing has expressed support for the one-China principle - which states that Taiwan is part of China - and said Kyiv was willing to boost cooperation with Beijing.

Pavlo Riabikin, the Ukrainian envoy, made the remarks in a meeting with Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong in Beijing on Monday.

Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong. Photo: Reuters

"Ukraine attaches great importance to the development of relations with China, has consistently adhered to the one-China principle, and is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese side," Riabikin said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout.

In response, Sun said the two countries had maintained steady diplomatic relations since ties were established 32 years ago. He said they should "take a long-term view, respect each other, treat each other in good faith and promote stable and far-reaching bilateral relations".

The Chinese readout also said the two sides had "exchanged views on issues of common concern, including the Ukraine crisis".

The meeting took place the same day China and Russia held their first talks of the year, in Moscow.

Ma Zhaoxu, another Chinese foreign vice-minister, and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ryabkov had a "substantive" discussion on a range of issues including international security, arms control and non-proliferation, Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement.