Ukraine attaches great importance to developing relations with China, regarding it as one of its foreign relations priorities, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said Wednesday.

"China has maintained rapid economic growth in recent years and made great achievements in various fields. China's international status and influence has risen. Ukraine is willing to further strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation with China," Tymoshenko said during a meeting with Zhou Li, the Chinese ambassador to Ukraine.

Zhou said Sino-Ukrainian relations have maintained healthy and stable development in all fields and China is ready to deepen mutual cooperation.

"Ukraine has solid cultural, industrial and agricultural bases. Its scientific and technological strength is very strong. To strengthen bilateral cooperation and traditional friendship between China and Ukraine is in line with the fundamental interests of both peoples," Zhou said.

The Chinese ambassador also thanked the Ukrainian side for its firm support on the Taiwan and Tibet issues, as well as for its substantial material assistance after the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2008)