澳大利亚致力于与中国的战略伙伴关系

Australia's foreign minister has taken time to speak with Chinese media outlets ahead of her forthcoming trip to China.

CRI's Australian correspondent Wang Xiao has more from Canberra.

Reporter: Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says the Australian government has high-regard for its relationships with China.

She says the Australian government will not to take sides in China's territorial disputes.

"It's a long standing Australian government position and policy to not take sides in territorial disputes."

She goes on to say Australia's relationship with China is one of the new Australian government's highest foreign policy priorities.

"Across the board, whether it's economic, political, social, cultural, we see a deeper and broader engagement between Australia and China."

Bishop also contends the two countries have developed a closer relationship through various multilateral forums, such as APEC and G20.

"Australia is hosting the G20 next year and China is hosting APEC. So between those two forums, we hope we can coordinate our efforts. Australia can work closer with China on economic agenda, increasing trade and investment in our region."

China is Australia's biggest trade partner.

Two-way trade between the two countries is currently over 100 billion US dollars.

China is Australia's largest source of overseas students, and second largest source of skilled migrants.

Bishop's time here in China is a prelude to new Prime Minister Tony Abbott's first trip to China as the leader of his government.

As part of Abbott's time here, it's widely expected the long-running negotiations over a China-Australia Free Trade Agreement will be inked.

The two sides have been negotiating since 2005.

For CRI, I'm Wang Xiao from Canberra.