Chinese president pins high hopes on development of cooperation with Ukraine

13:31

Chinese President Hu Jintao has said he is confident that Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's visit to China will bring the two countries to a higher level of bilateral relations.

"I am deeply convinced that your current visit will serve as a strong impetus to the further strengthening of mutual understanding and friendship between China and Ukraine, and bring our relations of friendship and cooperation to a higher level," he said at a meeting with Yanukovych in Beijing on Thursday.

He noted that China appreciated the Ukrainian president's position that cooperation with China is a priority for Kyiv.

The Chinese leader noted that Yanukovych had expressed such a position before his inauguration as president.

"I very much value this time and hours of communication with you," Hu Jintao said.

He welcomed the Ukrainian president on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

Yanukovych, in turn, said that Ukraine "has been looking for many years with great interest and goodwill how you [China] are developing a modern and strong country."