Chinese, Ukrainian Presidents Hold Talks

Chinese, Ukrainian Presidents Hold Talks

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Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Saturday in Kiev that China will always understand and respect Ukraine's choice of path of development and its internal and foreign policies.

Jiang, who is on a state visit to Ukraine, told his Ukrainian counterpart, Leonid Kuchma, during their talks that as a principle, China will always support Ukraine in its efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China firmly opposes any interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine under whatever pretext, and firmly believes that the Ukrainian people are capable of solving their own problems, he said.

China will continue to strictly follow its promise of security assurance it made to Ukraine in 1994, and support Ukraine to play a constructive role in international and regional affairs, said the Chinese president.

He also elaborated on two other principles in the development of bilateral relations with Ukraine in the new century.

The first principle is to develop a long-term stable, highly- trustworthy and cooperative relationship with Ukraine.

The other is to actively push forward bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The volume of China-Ukraine trade reached 590 million U.S. dollars last year, up six times from 1992.

For his part, Kuchma said there is still great potential to be explored in economic cooperation and trade. Ukraine is ready to strengthen such cooperation and welcomes Chinese businessmen to invest in Ukraine.

Jiang proposed that the two countries enhance cooperation in the international arena and jointly work for a just and fair new international order as well as long-lasting peace and prosperity in the entire world.

Kuchma said that Ukraine will conduct more consultations and cooperation with China on major international issues.

Jiang also expressed congratulations to the upcoming 10th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine.

Kuchma said Jiang's state visit to Ukraine at the special moment is of great significance to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides signed several documents following the talks, including one on China's assistance to Ukraine, one on cooperation in tourism and one on the transfer of convicted criminals.