Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will lead a strong business contingent of 1,000 business leaders to China next week, as Australia seeks to further deepen its economic ties with China.

This is the biggest business contingent led by an Australian leader to China, highlighting the importance of the economic cooperation between the two countries.   

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China is Australia's largest trading partner and is also one of the largest foreign investors in Australia. China's steady transition from an export-based to consumer-based economy also presents a plethora of economic opportunities for Australian companies.

"As China continues its transition towards a more consumer-led and services-based economy, more and more Australian businesses are finding new markets and new opportunities in China," Turnbull's office said in a statement.          

However, over the years relationship between Australia and China has hit a rough patch with regards to the issue of South China Sea.     

Turnbull recently criticized China's military built up in South China Sea, saying that it will prove counterproductive.

Australian troops on Monday also joined the annual military war game near South China Sea, which is being jointly hosted by Philippines and America. The military war game is aimed at sending a strong response to China over its increasingly assertive actions in the disputed maritime territory.  

According to sources, Malcolm Turnbull will certainly take up the issue of the South China Sea during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.

Experts claim that Australia's foreign policy over the South China Sea has undergone a paradigm shift, with Canberra increasingly taking a "pro American stance" in the issue.

Tagschina, Australia, South China Sea, Australia and China