Senior Chinese and Ukrainian military officials agreed during talks in Kiev on Thursday to advance military exchanges and cooperation between their two countries.

Gregory Pedchenko, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army of China, that although they are far apart in distance, China and Ukraine -- both peace-loving countries -- have maintained very friendly relations, with broad prospects for bilateral cooperation.

He said that Chen's visit is the first to Ukraine by a chief of the General Staff of the Chinese armed forces in 10 years.

The Ukrainian side attaches great importance to the visit, and is willing to take it as an opportunity to further strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the armed forces of the two countries, and strengthen their exchange and cooperation in various fields.

Speaking on the same occasion, Chen said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ukraine 20 years ago, political mutual trust between the two countries has kept strengthening while bilateral cooperation has brought about remarkable achievements in all fields, bringing real benefits to the two peoples.

During a successful visit to Ukraine in June, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych jointly established China-Ukraine strategic partnership, not only showing the orientation of comprehensive development of bilateral relations, but also strengthening a firm political basis and bringing about unprecedented opportunities for the development of relations between the armed forces of the two countries.

Chen said that his current visit is intended to implement the consensus reached between the two leaders, further enhance mutual understanding, strengthen mutual trust and promote cooperation.

The Chinese side will, proceeding from the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, take steps to promote multiform and multilevel development of friendly cooperation between the armed forces of China and Ukraine in various fields, Chen said.

During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on the construction and reform of armed forces, and on subjects of the fulfillment of non-war military operations by armed forces.

Chen and his delegation arrived in Kiev for an official goodwill visit on August 8.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2011)