Australia and China hold talks to move beyond 'simple buyer-seller' relationship

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard concluded her recent two-day visit to Beijing reiterating her desire to  broaden relations between the two nations.

Despite Australia being China’s biggest current supplier of iron ore, aluminum and liquefied natural gas, buying and selling remain the primary methods of engagement. Given this, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang has also expressed similar hopes for a broader relationship.

"The two countries should seek a long-term stable and strategic cooperation in energy and resources, rather than maintain a simple buyer-seller relationship," Li said according to Chinese state media.

"There is room for the two countries to work together in this sector as Australia is vigorously boosting infrastructure construction while Chinese businesses have expertise and advanced technologies," Li said.

"People are hungry for our commodities exports, they're hungry for our energy exports so I'm very confident these export industries have a very bright future," Gillard said.

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