CANBERRA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- The peak body for Australian universities announced on Monday it will lead a delegation of industry leaders on a trip to China aimed at renewing education and research partnerships.

Universities Australia (UA) said that the delegation will make a five-day visit starting on Monday to Beijing and Shenzhen, describing it as one of the most significant Australian higher education missions in years.

In a statement, UA said that the delegation would renew partnerships in education, research and innovation and strengthen cooperation in areas critical to both Australia and China such as clean energy and health.

"Education has long been one of the strongest and most stable bridges between Australia and China," UA chair Carolyn Evans said. "Australia's and China's universities have a proud record of working together to advance knowledge, strengthen industry capability and build the people-to-people links that underpin our relationship."

China is Australia's leading source of international students, accounting for 23 percent of all international students in Australia in the year to August, according to government data.

Evans and Luke Sheehy, chief executive officer of UA, will be joined on the mission by senior university leaders from across Australia. ■