On January 23, 2005, Lu Yongxiang, Chinese President Hu Jintao's Special Envoy, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences attended the inauguration ceremony of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in Kiev.

Leaders and government representatives from over 60 countries attended Yushchenko's inauguration ceremony. Lu first conveyed to him an oral message from President Hu, congratulating him on his election as the Ukrainian President. Lu said that the Chinese leaders and government attach great importance to their relations with Ukraine and would like to work with the Ukrainian side to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in various sectors between the two countries, promote the sound and stable development of China-Ukraine comprehensive and friendly relations of cooperation and continue to offer support to each other on important matters concerning national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Yushchenko thanked Hu for sending an envoy to his inauguration ceremony and asked Lu to convey his cordial greetings to President Hu. He said the Ukrainian side appreciates China's consistent support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and greatly admires China's achievements since reform and opening up. Ukraine will be actively committed to enhancing friendly cooperation with China in various fields. He reiterated his country would stick to the one-China policy.