The China-Australia relationship "does not target any third party" and "there should be no such issue as taking sides" as Australia develops its ties with China and the United States, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.

He made the comment when asked about diplomatic interactions among the three key Asia-Pacific economies at a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after annual talks in Canberra.

The premier, who is making an official visit to Australia from Wednesday to Sunday, addressed the question at a time when some officials, observers and media have encouraged Washington and Canberra to contain Beijing by seeking greater engagement on the South China Sea issue.