Li Ruihuan, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma Thursday in Kiev that China is satisfied with the smooth development of bilateral relations with Ukraine.
During a meeting with Kuchma, Li said, "China and Ukraine have become good friends and partners who trust each other in political issues, cooperate in economy in the interest of both and support each other in international affairs."
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 10 years ago, China and Ukraine have frequently exchanged high-level visits and especially, the maintenance of constant contacts between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Kuchma is key to the development of bilateral ties, Li said.
Both Ukraine and China are important countries in the world, and China is willing to increase exchange, cooperation and coordination with Ukraine in various aspects in a bid to achieve global peace and development, he said.
Speaking on the same occasion, Kuchma agreed with the view on relations and cooperation between Ukraine and China expressed by Li, saying that his country is willing to further promote and deepen its cooperation with China as the two countries share common grounds in many fields.
(People's Daily May 24, 2002)