The commitment was made at a time when Moscow’s recent attack on Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea affected grain exports destined for China and damaged a Chinese consulate.

Beijing was ready to work with Kyiv to “actively” develop bilateral economic and trade cooperation, advance the strategic partnership between the two countries and promote study towards freer trade, China’s commerce vice-minister Ling Ji said on Thursday when meeting the visiting Ukrainian deputy minister of economy, Taras Kachka.