Top adviser Jia Qinglin arrived in Kiev Monday, beginning his official goodwill visit to Ukraine, the last leg of his four-nation Europe tour.

 

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said upon his arrival that China and Ukraine have exchanged frequent high-level contacts, enhanced mutual understanding and increased mutual trust since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.

 

During the past 14 years, cooperation between the two countries has been broadened with fruitful results in the areas of politics, economy, science, technology, education and culture, Jia said in a written statement released at the international airport in Kiev.

 

"During my visit to Ukraine, I will exchange views with Ukraine leaders over further development of bilateral relations and deepening of exchange and cooperation in various fields. I believe that China and Ukraine friendly cooperation relations will reach anew level under joint efforts of the two sides," said the leader of CPPCC, China's top advisory body.

 

Ukraine is the last leg of Jia's Europe tour from October 22 to November 3, which has taken him to Britain, Lithuania and Estonia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2006)