BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China and Australia on Wednesday vowed to speed up negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) when Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang met with Australian Trade Minister Richard Marles in Beijing.

Wang said he hopes the two countries can reach the FTA soon, so as to enrich the content of their bilateral strategic partnership.

Marles said the Australian government attaches great importance to the development of bilateral trade relations.

The Australian side is willing to show flexibility and will actively push for progress in the FTA negotiations, he said.