Sydney, Dhu Al-Qa'dah 12, 1435, Sep 7, 2014, SPA -- China considers Australia a key partner in Asia and a bridge between East and West, dpa cited Foreign Minister Wang Yi as saying on Sunday. Australia may not be Beijing's closest friend "but we can surely become your most sincere friend," he added. Wang was addressing a joint press briefing with his counterpart Julie Bishop in Sydney where the Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue took place. The forum was launched in Beijing in December, and comes as Canberra and Beijing put the finishing touches to a free-trade deal. Bishop described ties between the two countries as strong, mature and growing. --SPA 13:39 LOCAL TIME 10:39 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w