Chinese president winds up Eurasia tour

  Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich during their talks in Kiev, Ukraine, June 20, 2011. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

KIEV, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao concluded his trip to Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine and left Kiev for home Monday.

The Chinese leader began his tour of Eurasia on June 12 from Kazakhstan, where he also attended an annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Hu's trip to the three nations is of special importance. This year marks the SCO's 10th birthday, and China and Russia are also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.

Hu's state visit to Ukraine is the first by a Chinese head of state in the last 10 years.

President Hu, who arrived in Ukraine Saturday for a three-day state visit, met his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich and other leaders of the country Monday on upgrading China-Ukraine ties.

The two sides reviewed the achievement of bilateral ties over the past 19 years and worked out plans for the further development of bilateral relations in the future.

Hu and Yanukovich signed a joint statement on setting up and developing a strategic partnership between China and Ukraine, lifting bilateral relations to a higher level.

Before that, Hu paid a state visit to Russia and attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.