Xi congratulates Poroshenko on becoming Ukraine president

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Petro Poroshenko Wednesday on being elected Ukraine's president.

China valued the development of China-Ukraine relations, Xi said in a congratulatory message.

China was willing to advance pragmatic cooperation in various fields between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit to the peoples of the two countries, Xi said.

Ukraine's Central Electoral Commission said Monday the successful businessman won the presidential election in the first round on May 25, garnering 54.7 percent of the vote.

Poroshenko will be sworn in on June 7, according to a bill passed by the Ukrainian parliament Tuesday.