Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer will visit Japan, Hong Kong and Macao from next Tuesday, focusing on trade and security issues.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula will be one of the topics in Downer's discussions with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso.

Other issues like enhancement of defense and security cooperation and economic relations between Australia and Japan will also be discussed, according to Downer in a statement released Saturday.

"Japan is our top trading partner and third largest source of foreign investment, while Australia is an important supplier of key minerals, energy and food to Japan," he said.

In Hong Kong, Downer is to meet Chief Executive Donald Tsang and other senior officials to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues, and to hear their views on Hong Kong's economic and political outlook.

He will meet Macao's Chief Executive Edmund Ho and senior members of his team to discuss Australia's role in Macao's economic development and the potential for further involvement.

Source: Xinhua