'Ties with China at their best'

Sino-Australian ties are "at their warmest in history" and Canberra is ready to step up negotiations with Beijing on a free trade agreement to bring the two sides much closer, visiting Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said yesterday.

He was speaking at meeting with Vice-President Zeng Qinghong in the capital.

Downer said his country welcomes China's rapid economic growth and rising international influence and is willing to strengthen collaborations with China on environmental protection, climate change and clean energy.