Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday sent a message to Viktor Yushchenko to congratulate him on his election as Ukrainian president.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and people as well on my own behalf, I sincerely congratulate you and send you good wishes to you," Hu said in his message.

Hu said it is China's long-term policy to develop all-round friendly relations with Ukraine on the basis of equality and mutual respect which is in the basic interests of two countries and two peoples.

"I am willing to make joint efforts with you to boost bilateral ties as well as to push forward the traditional friendship between the two peoples," Hu said.

On Jan. 10, Ukraine's Central Election Commission formally declared Yushchenko the winner of last December's presidential election with 51.99 percent of the vote. Yushchenko will be inaugurated as president on Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2005)