KIEV - Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich signed a joint statement on Monday upgrading the countries' friendly and cooperative relations to a strategic partnership.

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The two countries will adhere to the existing bilateral documents since 1992, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, refraining from the use or threat of force, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, the statement said.

The two sides reiterated that they will respect each other's choice of paths of political, economic, social and cultural development and strive to maintain the long-term stable development of bilateral ties.

The two sides pledged not to use or threaten to use force in handing their bilateral relations, nor will they use economic means and other coercive measures in this regard.

An important content of the China-Ukraine strategic partnership is that they will offer firm support to each other on issues concerning national sovereignty, reunification and territorial integrity, according to the statement.

Ukraine reiterated its steadfast adherence to China's principled position on the Taiwan issue, saying Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Ukraine supports peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and China's peaceful reunification.

China reiterated its respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Neither side should allow or support the establishment on its territory,of extremist organizations and groups, as well as their activities which are detrimental to the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the other side, nor should they allow a third country to use its territory to harm the other side's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

The statement said the two countries are opposed to actions that could threaten world and regional peace, stability and security. They will cooperate in fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their vehicles, and cracking down on transnational organized crime, human trafficking, drug and weapons trafficking, illegal immigration, and other crimes.

The China-Ukraine strategic partnership is not directed at any third country, said the statement.

The two sides agreed that cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, investment, science and technology, aviation, aerospace, agriculture, and infrastructure construction is a priority in the future development of bilateral relations.

They also agreed that the implementation of large cooperation projects marks a new stage of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.