Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday spoke highly of the development of China-Ukraine relations in the past 30 years and called for greater progress in bilateral cooperation and the creation of more benefits for people of the two nations.

President Xi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky exchanged congratulations on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his message to Zelensky, Xi noted that China-Ukraine relations have maintained a sound and steady momentum since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago.

The two sides have deepened mutual political trust, carried out fruitful cooperation in various fields and strengthened people-to-people exchanges, which have enhanced the well-being of the two peoples, Xi said.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Ukraine have come to each other's assistance and fought the pandemic hand in hand, demonstrating their profound friendship, he said.

Xi also stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of the strategic partnership between China and Ukraine, and stands ready to work with President Zelensky to take the diplomatic ties' 30th anniversary as an opportunity to promote bilateral ties in various fields to the benefit their countries and peoples.

In his message, Zelensky said that over the past 30 years, bilateral relations have maintained a positive momentum with close contacts at all levels and fruitful practical cooperation between the two sides.

Ukraine has been fully confident in the broad prospects of the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, Zelensky said, adding that his country is willing to continuously deepen the traditional friendship between the two peoples, strengthen cooperation in various areas and push forward the strategic partnership between the two countries.