Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko agreed to enhance cooperation between the two countries during talks on Monday.

Zhang, leading a Chinese delegation, was on an official visit to Ukraine.

During the meeting, Zhang said that, since the two countries established diplomatic ties 17 years ago, China and Ukraine have seen healthy growth in bilateral relations, frequent high-level visits and enhanced mutual political trust.

The two sides have offered support on major issues concerning each other's interests and sustained efficient coordination in international and regional affairs, he said.

China values its ties with Ukraine and views it as a trusted and reliable partner, Zhang said, adding that it is in the fundamental intersts of both sides to cement and enhance mutually benefitial cooperation.

China is willing to work with the Ukrainian side to further strengthen mutual political trust and deepen mutually benefitial cooperation to promote the all-round China-Ukraine partnership, he said.

He also expressed thanks to Ukraine for its support on issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Falun Gong.

Speaking highly of China's fast development, Tymoshenko said her government valuesits ties with China and is ready to work with China to expand and deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

Ukraine and China are complementary to each other and needed to continously tap their great potential for cooperation, she said.

Tymoshenko extended a welcome to Chinese entrepreneurs in the delegation and said she hoped that Chinese enterprises will carry out more cooperation with the Ukrainian side in fields of strategic importance, such as energy, car and plane manufacture, sports and road equipment, and agriculture.

Ukraine is the first leg of official visits by Zhang to three European nations. He will also visit Albania and Estonia.