Aerial photo taken on Oct. 21, 2018 shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), held from Nov. 5 to 10, 2018, in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

CANBERRA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Australia's presence at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) is strong and China's development will continue to be advantageous to Australia, Australia's Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has said.

Birmingham made the remarks in a newspaper column published by Australia's Financial Review on Monday. He said "Australia's food, wine and agriculture" would take center stage at the expo which opened in Shanghai on Monday.

"Over 200 Australian brands are also taking up exhibition space to showcase their longstanding partnerships with China," he wrote.

"Relative to other nations, Australia's presence at CIIE is strong, with the third largest number of products and sixth largest number of exhibitors," he said, noting, "This strength in numbers reflects our commitment and that of Australian industry to the importance of the economic relationship."

"An economically prosperous China will continue to be advantageous to Australia and important to the world," the minister said.

The Australia's trade minister has also applauded Victoria for becoming the nation's first state to sign up to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Birmingham said the federal government welcomed more Chinese investment in the region, according to The Australian newspaper.

Victoria became the first state last month in Australia to sign a memorandum of understanding with China on the Belt and Road Initiative.

According to State Premier Daniel Andrews, the historic agreement means Victoria will be best placed in the country to capitalize on the trade and investment opportunities made possible by the global infrastructure project.

"We welcome the fact that Victoria has shown their enthusiasm and initiative," Birmingham said.

"The Australia government welcomes the fact that, through (the Belt and Road Initiative), China is investing more across our regions."