China, Ukraine agree to work together on road, bridge and railway projects
- Cooperation agreement signed days after Kiev withdrew from joint statement urging Beijing to allow UN human rights chief into Xinjiang
- Ukraine needs Chinese infrastructure investment and access to its market and is trying to balance relations with Beijing and the West, analysts say
Kiev faces a challenge as it tries to balance its relations with Beijing and the West – it needs Chinese investment and access to its market but relies on the United States as its biggest military aid donor and is seeking to join Nato and the European Union, analysts said.
China’s commerce ministry on Sunday said companies and financial institutions from the two countries would be encouraged to work together on road, bridge and railway projects. It said the agreement signed between Beijing and Kiev on June 30 would promote closer economic ties between the nations and provide the help and support needed for joint projects.
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Belt and Road Initiative explained
Li Lifan, a senior fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said both sides would benefit.