The Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, says China wants a breakthrough on a free-trade deal with Australia within two years.
Mr Wen is on a four-day visit to Canberra and has signed a nuclear safeguards agreement paving the way for Australia to sell uranium to China.
After meeting the Prime Minister, John Howard, Mr Wen said they have agreed a free-trade agreement should be fast-tracked.
"For the next one or two years, China and Australia should work together to strive for breakthroughs on major issues related to the FTA negotiation, so as to lay the foundation for the arrival of an overall agreement."