On January 11, 2012, Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping at invitation attended the reception to celebrate the 20th anniversary of China-Ukraine diplomatic ties held by the Ukrainian Embassy in China.

Cheng said in his speech that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago, bilateral relations have maintained stable and healthy development. Both sides forged friendly cooperative relations in the early period when the two countries forged diplomatic ties, established comprehensive friendly relations with long-term stability, high degree of trust and mutual cooperation in 2001 and established strategic partnership in 2011. Bilateral ties have experienced two major upgrades. Currently bilateral relations have the features of mature state relations including a solid political foundation, the integration of economic interests, active cultural exchange and close international cooperation. Facts have proved that developing strategic partnership, as the historic and strategic choice of both sides, is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and peoples and complies with the trend of peace and development. It is also a positive factor for promoting world peace, regional stability and prosperity. He hoped both sides would take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties and join hands to push bilateral ties to a higher level and bring benefits to both peoples.

Ambassador Kostenko Yurii said in his remarks that China was among the first countries to recognize Ukraine's independence and establish diplomatic relations with the country, which the Ukrainian side will remember forever. Over the past 20 years, bilateral relations have traversed an extraordinary path of development. Ukraine regards China as a very important strategic partner and has great confidence in and expectation for prospects of bilateral relations. He believed that with joint efforts of both sides, China-Ukraine strategic partnership will continue to move forward and achieve new results.

Before the reception, Cheng and Ambassador Kostenko exchanged views on bilateral relations, cooperation and other issues.