China and Australia are on track to sign a free trade deal strengthening bilateral relations, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Sunday.

Bishop welcomed her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, who came for the annual Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue. The agreement signing is expected later this year, according to reports.

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Australia-China strategic dialogues this week will focus on free trade agreement and economics. Meetings also should touch on other topics, such as security in the region, particularly the East and South China Seas, and defense cooperation, citing the conflict in the Middle East.

At a press conference with Wang, Bishop said the relationship between the two nations "is strong, it is mature, it is growing."

Wang, through a translator, said China views Australia as a significant cooperation power that has international influence. Wang expressed China's intention for Australia to become its link to the West.

China also welcomes Australia to "integrate into Asia" with the Asian giant's assistance.

Furthermore, Wang said that China may not be Australia's "closest friend" in Asia at present, "but we can surely become your most sincere friend."

In his remark, Wang acknowledged Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's provocative comment last year about Japan being Australia's "closest friend in Asia."

Australia made free trade deals with Japan and South Korea in the past year, an event believed to be caused by the delay in trade talks with China.

Experts view this delay as a result of China favoring state-owned businesses by removing investment limits.

While trade relationship with China was older, it did not stop Australia from forging warmer ties with Japan, China's Asian rival.

The recent meeting between the Foreign Ministers, however, shows that Australia and China are ready to boost bilateral relationship and trade talks, which began in 2005.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to visit Brisbane in November for the G20 Summit.

TagsAustralia, Julie Bishop, Foreign Ministry, Asia