China, Ukraine should eye partnership: vice premier

China and Ukraine should eye partnership in large projects in infrastructure, agriculture and energy to spearhead bilateral trade and financial cooperation, Vice Premier Ma Kai said on Thursday.

Bilateral trade has reached the 10 billion U.S. dollar goal ahead of schedule and China has become the second largest trade partner for Ukraine, Ma said when addressing a China-Ukraine economic and trade forum in Beijing.

"China-Ukraine economic cooperation faces greater opportunities with China's economic growth and comprehensively deepening reforms," Ma said.

He proposed the two countries take advantage of their economic complementarity, and optimize trade structure toward a more comprehensive, balanced and sustainable trade relationship.

He called on both sides to give full play to the intergovernmental commission, chamber of commerce and council of entrepreneurs to expand the breadth of cooperation and protect the legitimate rights of each other's businesses and personnel in their respective country.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych hailed China's infrastructure, welcoming Chinese investment in Ukraine, as well as boosting cooperation in telecommunications and mining.

He also said Ukraine will learn from China's experiences in organizing the 2008 Olympic Games when it comes to holding international sporting events.