DHAKA: Australia prime minister Tony Abbott has landed in China, on the third leg of his tour of North Asia.

Abbott touched down on the resort island of Hainan, reports abc.net.au.

He is hoping to secure a free trade agreement with the country, after successfully reaching agreements with Japan and South Korea during his week-long trade mission.

Earlier, Abbott toured the demilitarized zone on the Korean Peninsula, where he labelled North Korea ‘a threat to world peace’.

He ventured into the room that straddles the border and North Korean guards watched him with interest, some taking photos of the Australian leader.

‘This is probably the tensest border on earth. On the South Korean side we have freedom, we have justice, we have democracy,’ Abbott said.

‘On the North Korean side, we have an outlaw state which is a threat to world peace and a deadly danger to the people of South Korea.’

‘Obviously, at a place like this at such a time, it’s important to remember the 17,000 Australian soldiers who participated in the Korean War.’

Abbott’s tour of the demilitarised zone came after he signed a free trade deal with South Korean president Park Geun-hye.

BDST: 1444 HRS, APR 09, 2014