Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich held formal talks here Monday on upgrading friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

During the talks, the two leaders will review the development of bilateral ties over the past 19 years since the two nations established diplomatic relations, and work out plans for elevating their bilateral ties to a higher level, said Chinese officials.

Hu and Yanukovich are expected to sign a joint statement on upgrading China-Ukraine relations following their talks, they said.