Chinese president meets Ukrainian parliament speaker

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R, front) meets with Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn in Kiev, Ukraine, June 20, 2011. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Kiev on Monday with Volodymyr Lytvyn, chairman of Ukraine's parliament Verkhovna Rada.

During the meeting, Hu said the cooperation and communication between the law-making bodies of China and Ukraine is a vital part of the bilateral relations.

He urged both sides to exert joint efforts to advance substantial cooperation and people-to-people exchange, so as to elevate China-Ukraine ties up to a higher level.

Lytvyn described Hu's current state visit as an important event in the history of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian parliament supports the consensus reached by the two heads of state, he said, adding that the establishment of the Ukraine-China strategic partnership will benefit the Chinese and Ukrainian peoples.

The Ukrainian parliament will dedicate itself to the cooperation between Ukraine and China and is willing to maintain and enhance exchanges with China's National People's Congress, Lytvyn said.

Later on Monday, Hu attended a welcoming banquet hosted by his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich.

Source: Xinhua

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