Trade boost eyed with Australia

Premier Li Keqiang talks with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as they attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. WU ZHIYI / CHINA DAILY

Beijing and Canberra are seeking to increase business ties as Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull leads his country's largest-ever trade mission to China.

Australia will also grant 10-year visas for the first time to Chinese and allow online applications, according to Turnbull, who started a two-day visit to China on Thursday.

China is Australia's most important tourism market, with more than 1 million visitors last year.

Witnessed by Premier Li Keqiang and Turnbull, the two countries signed five documents on Thursday to boost cooperation in areas including tourism, science, industrial parks and mining.

Li called on both countries to make full use of their complementary advantages and work together in multiple sectors including infrastructure construction, equipment manufacturing, new energy, cross-border e-commerce, education, law enforcement and defense.

"Enhanced China-Australia cooperation will send a positive signal to the region and the world, especially at a time when the global economy is sluggish with increasing uncertainties," Li said.

It is Turnbull's first visit to China since taking office in September. Representatives of more than 1,000 companies are attending events at Australia Week in China, which begins on Monday in 12 cities.

Turnbull said Australia considers China an important trade partner and is positive about the great potential for China's development.

He said he was honored to be the first Australian prime minister to visit China since the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement took effect, adding that the two countries should enhance cooperation in e-commerce, agriculture and technology.