PERTH, Australia- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said on Wednesday efforts should be made to lift China-Australian business ties to a new level.  

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Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said Chinese and Australian economies have a lot to offer to each other. "This is a strong advantage for the two nations to develop business ties," he said in an address during a welcoming luncheon attended by Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett and entrepreneurs from the two countries.

Jia proposed to advance the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two countries and maintain the good cooperation momentum, saying to reach a comprehensive, balanced, high-quality and mutually-beneficial bilateral free trade agreement serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both China and Australia.

Jia pledged China will not waver its political will and resolve to push the negotiations forward. He said it is China's hope that the two nations will follow the spirit of being proactive, practical, balanced and mutually beneficial, and strive for early conclusion of an agreement acceptable to both sides.

Jia said governments and businesses of the two countries should work hard to strengthen strategic planning, consolidate the achievements already made in such traditional fields as energy, mineral resources and agriculture, and build a long-term and stable supply and demand relationship.

Jia said the two nations should also strengthen and expand trade in competitive products and enhance trade and investment cooperation in energy conservation, emission reduction, environmental protection, and green and low carbon industries.

Jia said the two nations should also encourage entrepreneurs to fully tap the potential for cooperation and consolidate the cooperation foundation with a view to promoting in-depth growth of bilateral business ties.

In the end, Jia said China welcomes Australia playing a more active and constructive role in international and regional affairs. He said China stands ready to increase consultation and dialogue with Australia on major issues including global governance and climate change, enhance bilateral communication and coordination at multilateral mechanisms and make greater contribution to building a more just and equitable international economic and financial order and promoting world peace and prosperity.

Australia is the second leg of Jia's three-nation tour, which will also take him to Samoa. Jia visited Myanmar before he came to Australia.