Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich headed to China on Tuesday seeking loans and investment, Reuters reported. The government in Kiev must find more than US$17 billion in 2014 to meet gas bills and debt repayments. Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said at least 20 economic and trade agreements should be signed during the visit to China. Beijing has already provided the former Soviet republic with loans worth US$10 billion, but may this time seek assurances over its political stability. Yanukovich’s trip comes amid fierce domestic protests over his decision on the weekend to drop a free trade deal with the European Union.