Chinese President Hu Jintao has congratulated newly elected Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych on his victory and said China was ready to develop ties with the former Soviet state, Yanukovych's press-service has said.

Yanukovych was elected president of Ukraine in the February 7 runoff. The inauguration is scheduled for February 25.

"On the occasion of your election as Ukrainian president, I express you sincere congratulations and kind regards from the whole Chinese government and me personally," the Chinese leader was quoted as saying.

Ukraine's recent ban on poultry supplies from China and Nepal, which was introduced over suspected bird flu infection, has not prevented the Chinese leader from pledging to "take constant efforts to strengthen traditional friendship between the Chinese and the Ukrainian nations."

"The Chinese side pays much attention to the development of friendly relations with Ukraine in all spheres," Jintao said.

During the 46th Munich Security Conference in early February, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Petro Poroshenko and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi agreed to cooperate in economic, trade, investment and infrustructure spheres.

KIEV, February 22 (RIA Novosti)