Ukraine and China, as reliable cooperative partners of each other, share great potential in their cooperation, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko Monday in Beijing.

Gryshchenko told a press conference that Ukraine and China are complimentary in economic terms, and the Ukraine-China friendly relations have witnessed smooth development in recent years, featuring frequent high-level visits.

The foreign minister said he exchanged views with the Chinese leaders on bilateral relations and international issues of common concern during his visit.

China is Ukraine's major strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific region, and the Ukrainian side is willing to participate in China's program to develop the western region and the strategy to revitalize northeast China, he said.

Ukraine and China will strengthen cooperation in space flight and aviation, machinery and other high-tech fields, he said.

The official spoke highly of the Ukraine-China economic and trade cooperation.

According to Ukrainian statistics, bilateral trade reached 2.2 billion US dollars in 2003, up 40 percent year-on-year.

The first four months of this year also witnessed the same growth, he said.

Gryshchenko is on a six-day official visit to China that started on July 2 as guest of his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing.