KIEV - The Ukrainian government will focus on deepening the country's trade ties with China this year, a senior cabinet official has said.

"Expanding and strengthening the trade relations with China is our priority for 2017," Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister Natalia Mykolska said on her Facebook late Wednesday.

In particular, the Ukrainian government will send a trade mission to China this year and step up efforts to create new platforms for the intensification of business contacts and exchanges, she said.

According to Mykolska, Ukraine targeted to boost trade volume with China by $2 billion in 2017.

The Ukrainian statistics showed that the trade turnover between China and Ukraine increased by 5.3 percent last year to $6.51 billion.

Out of the total trade volume, Ukraine's imports stood at about $4.68 billion, while exports took some $1.83 billion.