Comments by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia have been welcomed by the Australian Trade and . Investment Minister.

On March 5 2014, in his speech to the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress, the Chinese Premier said that China would be looking to “accelerate” the progress of FTA talks with Australia, while also pushing for an agreement with South Korea. He did not, however, provide any precise indication of when the agreements might be signed.