Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Ukraine's Parliament Speaker Oleksander Moroz in Beijing, on March 29, 2007. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Thursday that China will enhance pragmatic cooperation with Ukraine to lift bilateral relations to a new level.

China sees Ukraine as a faithful friend and reliable partner, and will work with Ukraine to deepen cooperation and enhance coordination in international and regional affairs to facilitate bilateral relations, said Hu.

China respects the development path Ukraine has taken in accordance with its own situations and policies it followed, Hu said while meeting with Ukraine's Parliament Speaker Oleksander Moroz.

Hu expressed his appreciation for Ukraine's adherence to one-China policy and spoke highly of the contribution made by the Ukraine parliament to developing bilateral relations.

Moroz, who is making his first China visit beginning on Wednesday, said Ukraine attaches great importance to relations with China and is ready to boost cooperation between the two countries on such areas as trade, culture, high-technology, energy and transportation.

Ukraine will also learn from China, which has maintained rapid economic growth for years, said Moroz.

Also on Thursday, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top advisory body, met with Moroz.

Jia said the CPPCC and Ukraine's parliament will further enhance exchanges to help boost bilateral relations.

Editor: Yan