Australian Minister To Focus On Trade With China
The minister has flown to China to push Australia's support for agricultural trade in the Asia-Pacific region.
Topping his list will be discussions with Chinese counterparts on ways to stop illegal logging and the trade in timber from illegally logged forests, the Australian Associated Press said.
He will also seek an agreement from China to work collaboratively on supporting global food supplies and will try to step up negotiations on a free trade agreement with China.
During his trip, he will also attend a G8 agriculture ministers' meeting to discuss global food security and climate change, and the 2009 International Forum on Chinese Medicine, where discussions will focus on bilateral trade.
"As major agriculture-producing nations, Australia and China have a shared interest in reducing barriers to international trade," Burke said in a statement.
The minister will also be promoting Australia's wine market during his trip. He is expected to sign two memorandums of understanding with China and Hong Kong.
The agreements will help Australian winemakers tap into the region's growing market.