Ukraine Crisis

BEIJING - China on Friday expressed hope that Ukraine can realize stability and development as soon as possible following the release of the results of Ukraine's presidential election.

"We have noted the result and hope the election can further push forward the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a daily press briefing.

"China attaches great importance to China-Ukraine relations and stands ready to work with Ukraine to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation," he said.

Ukraine's Central Electoral Commission (CEC) announced Thursday that businessman Petro Poroshenko had won the presidential elections in the first round with 54.7 percent of the vote.

Poroshenko is expected to be sworn in between June 8 and June 10.