CANBERRA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said in a media release Thursday that "Australia's economic relationship with China remains robust and mutually beneficial."
Birmingham will this week represent Australia at the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ministerial meeting in Beijing.
"We continue to support and value China's continued economic success which has lifted millions out of poverty and provided widespread benefits to our region," said the minister.
"This visit will provide another important opportunity for Australia and China to advance our already strong trade and economic relationship, underpinned by the high-quality China-Australia Free Trade Agreement," Birmingham said.
The RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement between the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the six FTA partners of ASEAN - China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India.
Birmingham said the talks would focus on progressing discussions on a free trade agreement that would further integrate Australia into the world's fastest growing region and encompass almost half the world's population.
According to local media, Birmingham becomes the first minister in the Australian government to visit China since the general election in mid-May.
