SYDNEY, Feb. 13 -- Chinese visitors have a high regard for Australia's agricultural products and more will be attracted to the nation's natural and beautiful environment, a member of a visiting Chinese media group said on Friday.

"Chinese people think of Australia as having a lot of abundant resources and a beautiful environment," Zhang Kun, chief editor of the China Youth Daily, told Fairfax Media.

"It's a developed country with high technology and good food," said Zhang, who was part of an 18-member Chinese media group touring Australia this week.

The visit, supported by the University of Technology - Sydney Center for Independent Journalism, was designed to raise more awareness of Australia to Chinese people.

Zhang said Australia's milk products, particularly long-life and powdered milk, were best known to Chinese shoppers.

He believed Australia was becoming a star attraction for Chinese holiday travelers.

Zhang said China's recent free trade agreement plans with Australia did not yet mean much to average Chinese, but such relationships would strengthen understanding between communities, including media opportunities, in both countries.