Golden chance for Australia to deepen trade ties

The Asia-Pacific region is facing a host of unprecedented economic and security challenges which, ironically, also provide an opportunity for China and Australia to build a stronger partnership.

Premier Li Keqiang is on a visit to Australia at a time when the world's most economically vibrant region is encountering continuous economic uncertainties, and the rising trend of protectionism and anti-globalization.

In recent years, China and Australia have maintained strong economic ties and reaped the benefits of flourishing bilateral trade and investment. China has remained Australia's largest trading partner for the past eight years, with the bilateral trade volume last year reaching $108 billion, according to China's Foreign Ministry. After the Beijing-Canberra free trade agreement came into force in December 2015, Australia's exports of health and dairy products as well as wine to China have seen a sharp rise.