December 8, 2015, “Borysfen Intel's” experts participated in the round table of the International Center for Policy Studies (ICPS) “Ukraine-China: The Silk Road of Missed Opportunities”. We should point out that this event is one of the few, where each analytical speech was specific, and the facts and figures — convincing and eloquent. Probably because today it is hard to overestimate the global role of such a respected country as the People's Republic of China, and we, Ukrainians of the present time, would do well if we learned from one of the many nations of the world how to build a state.
In particular, it is necessary to pay tribute to the organizers of the event for the content-rich material summarizing the current policy of the Chinese state and the potential of its cooperation with Ukraine. This potential can't help impressing, even though it is... far from practical implementation. Why? This question was answered quite convincingly by the roundtable participants. Among them — K. Gryschenko (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, 2003-2005 and 2010-2012.) E. Yaroshenko (Analyst of the International Centre for Policy Studies), V. Porovoznyuk (economist of ICPS), A. Honcharuk (Head of the Department of Foreign Policy of the NISS at the President of Ukraine) and their colleagues. According to the speakers, Ukraine is not using the positive opportunities — both political and economic — which can be provided by a cooperation with China. A typical example: today is actively used the land transport road paved from China to Spain, which bypasses Ukraine on the north (through Belarus). It turned out that Beijing decided that Belarus is a more reliable partner, with which it is better to develop mutually beneficial economic ties. And if someone does not agree, let him/her listen to the roundtable participants. That is, Ukraine has completely missed from the field of vision such a powerful and promising partner, as China.
For example, one speaker reminded the audience, how the PRC's Ambassador to Ukraine in 2013, strongly advised “poperedniki” that is, government leaders in the times of V. Yanukovych's presidency, not to abandon the European integration of Ukraine, as the Chinese government hoped to maintain active cooperation with the EU, including through Ukraine's mediation.
“The current government should listen to the proposals coming from China, said A. Honcharuk, giving speaking figures on the benefits of cooperation with a strong partner, which is China. — It is important for Ukraine to understand its place in the world, to show firmness in defending its interests”. And to confirm his words, he said that if Ukraine, for example, had made an official statement, demanding to stop the Chinese ship, paving the electrical cable in the Kerch Strait from Russia to the Crimea, then China would have definitely stopped the work of its specialists. Because China has always respected international law.
In the course of the round table, a lot of suggestions were made on how to substantially improve the mutually beneficial cooperation with China, were discussed the reasons for our, first of all, economic losses and it was convincingly argued that Ukraine cannot afford neglecting cooperation with Chinese partners. Especially now, when the world has entered a new era of global economic relations.
