Resources 'backbone of Australia's trading relationship with China'

BEIJING - China's largest offshore oil producer signed a landmark deal on Wednesday to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Australia for 20 years, a move analysts said underscores growing commercial ties between the two countries despite recent hiccups.

Under the contract, CNOOC will buy 3.6 million tons of LNG per year from British gas producer BG Group's Curtis LNG facility in Queensland in Australia.