Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich in Kiev on Thursday.

During their meeting, Hui said that since China and Ukraine established diplomatic ties 15 years ago bilateral relations have been continuously strengthened.

High-level exchanges between the two countries have been maintained and political mutual trust has been enhanced, while cooperation on economy, technology and education have been fruitful, Hui said.

China and Ukraine have cooperated closely on international affairs and have been supporting each other in the international community, Hui said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich echoed Hui's remarks, saying that he hopes the two sides will join hands in exploring new ways to enhance their cooperation.

Hui also met Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Victor Slauta on the same day.

They hailed the remarkable progress being made in strengthening bilateral ties.

Ukraine is the second stop on Hui's four-nation European tour, which has taken him to the Netherlands. He will visit Romania and Serbia after his stay in Ukraine.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2007)