On October 31, 2006, Jia Qingling, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in Kiev.

Jia first conveyed the cordial greetings and best wishes from President Hu Jintao to Yushchenko, who expressed thanks and asked Jia to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to Hu.

Jia said China and Ukraine have deepened mutual understanding and trust while fostering healthy and stable development of bilateral ties since the two countries established diplomatic relations 14 years ago. In the past 14 years, the cooperation between the two countries has been broadened and deepened with fruitful results in the areas of economy, trade, science and technology, Jia said. He said cultural and educational exchanges have grown actively with enriched content. Both sides also maintained communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs, he added.

Expressing satisfaction with bilateral ties, Yushchenko said relations between Ukraine and China have developed quickly with active results of cooperation in the areas of economy and trade since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Now the two sides have become important partners of mutually beneficial cooperation, the president said.

Jia reiterated that developing long-term stable and comprehensive friendly cooperative relations with Ukraine has been the set policy of the Chinese side. Next year will mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and China, and China is willing to take the chance jointly with Ukraine to make efforts to promote their bilateral ties to a higher level, said Jia. He also suggested that both sides strengthen contact and exchange at various levels, deepen mutual trust and lay a solid political foundation for development of bilateral relations. The two countries will be able to further enhance cooperation in the economic and trade areas, put into effect those fixed agreements and endorsed projects and strengthen cooperation in large programs and the application of high- and new-tech achievements in all industries, Jia said. He also expressed China's desire to broaden exchange and cooperation with Ukraine in the areas of culture, education, tourism, sports and journalism, and to encourage the friendly cities of both sides to enhance exchanges so as to cement the social basis of bilateral friendship.

Yushchenko said Ukraine has set the development of ties with China a priority of its foreign policy. Ukraine is ready to maintain high-level contact, enhance political dialogue and deepen economic and trade cooperation with China, he added. The 9th Ukraine-China Mixed Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation was held in Kiev not long ago, Yushchenko said, adding that his country pins great hope on it and hopes it will help promote pragmatic cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, science, technology, aviation and energy.

Secretary-General of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Zheng Wantong and other officials attended the meeting.