Truss pushes free trade with China

Trade Minister Warren Truss will use a meeting with his Chinese counterpart today to push for progress in free trade negotiations between the two countries.

In his first official engagement since taking over the Trade portfolio from Nationals leader Mark Vaile, Mr Truss will hold talks with China's Minister for Commerce, Bo Xilai.

Mr Truss says the timing of the meeting is crucial because negotiations between Australia and China on market access for goods, services and investment are expected to begin in December.

Negotiations on market access for manufactured and farmed goods were delayed last month because China could not provide enough detailed information during talks in Beijing.