Australia, a country with vast territories in the South Pacific, comprises the Australian continent and the Tasmania island. Surrounded by ocean, Australia looks southeast across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, and north across the Timor Sea and the Torres Strait to East Timor and Papua New Guinea.

The world's sixth largest country, Australia covers some 7.69 million square km and has 20.23 million (December 2004) people sparsely populated on its land. Among the inhabitants, about 70 percent are of Anglo-Celtic descent, 6 percent Asian, and 2.3 percent aboriginal. Most people are Christians, with English as the country's official language.

Australia was originally inhabited by the aboriginals. However, Europeans began their encroachment in the 16th century.

In 1770, English navigator James Cook arrived at the eastern coast, claiming the area for Britain and naming it New South Wales.

The first group of British immigrants, including some convicts, arrived on Jan. 26, 1788, a day which was later designated as Australia's national day.

More immigrants were later sent or attracted to Australia and settlements began to sprawl on the continent. During the gold rush beginning in the 1850s, an influx of immigrants boosted a burgeoning economy and irrevocably changed the social structure of the continent. The aboriginals were ruthlessly stripped of their land and driven to obscurity.

In the second half of the 1800s, the British settlers established autonomous governments. A federation of the separate colonies was founded on Jan. 1, 1901.

In 1931, Australia became an independent member of the Commonwealth, with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state and a governor named by the queen as the highest-ranking administrator.

As a typical immigrant country, Australia is considered a mosaic of multinationals. Ever since British settlers set foot on the land, a flood of immigrants from more than 120 countries have gone there to seek a better life. They have not only made an enormous contribution to the country, but also enriched its culture and broadened its vision.

Australia is endowed with rich natural resources. As a significant mineral producer and exporter, Australia boasts more than 70 minerals, including lead, nickel, silver, tantalum, uranium and zinc. It is also rich in aluminum, diamonds, iron ores and gold.

In terms of stock raising, Australia, known as a country riding on the sheepback, is the largest exporter of wool and beef. Australia is also rich in fisheries, and major sea foods include prawn, lobster, abalone, tuna, scallop and oyster.

Australia is world-famous for its fantastic natural environment and tourist attractions, offering a perfect hideaway for people who wish to escape from the metropolitan hustle and bustle.

Wildlife parks, breathtaking coastlines and intriguing valleys dot the vast expanses of the continent. Museums, opera houses and year-round festivals and carnivals offer excitement for those with a taste for culture.

Over the past three decades, Australia and China have witnesseda steady development of relations since they established diplomatic ties on Dec. 21, 1972. Their trade has also maintained a good momentum, with the volume exceeding 27 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.