China appreciates Ukraine's long-term support for it on the Taiwan, Tibet and human rights issues, and will further bilateral ties and cooperation.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan made the remarks when meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Anatoly Maximovich Zlenko, in Beijing on Monday.
Tang said that relations between China and Ukraine have had a stable and sound development with fruitful results, as close contact between the leaders of the two countries and mutual understanding between the two nations have been strengthened.
Wide-ranging economic cooperation and coordination in international affairs have also been undertaken, he said.
A comprehensive, friendly and cooperative partnership based on long-term mutual trust and coordination, which was jointly proposed by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, was the direction of development of bilateral ties in a new century, Tang said.
China has always regarded Ukraine as a good partner, understands and respects its policies, he said, adding that China hopes Ukraine to play a more constructive role in international and regional affairs.
Zlenko said Ukraine paid much attention to developing relations with China, and praised China's long-term support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He noted that a close bilateral relationship between Ukraine and China is of great significance to bilateral friendly and cooperative relations in the 21st century.
Ukraine will enhance cooperation with China in all fields, continue to support China in international affairs, and push bilateral relations to a new high, he said.
The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on international issues.
(China Daily January 29 2002)
