Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he would like to have a free trade agreement in place with China within the next 12 months.
Mr Abbott is in Bali for the annual APEC leaders summit, with a meeting already under his belt with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trade is top of Mr Abbott's to-do list, particularly the ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, which seek to establish a grand free trade area that would include Australia and 11 other Asia-Pacific nations.
"Our intention is to move as quickly as we can. I would be disappointed if there wasn't a free trade agreement with China within the next 12 months," he said.
He said it's important to increase trade and investment in our region, as Australia's economy depends on it.
"Australia is open for business: this is the message that I am keen to repeat to regional leaders".
"Foreign investment is good for Australia. It's good for jobs, for government activity, for government revenue and for prosperity back in Australia".
Share
