The visit to China by the Mandarin-speaking Rudd is his first since being ousted from office as prime minister in June and taking over as foreign minister in the new Labor government of Julia Gillard in September.

"In terms of this individual's incarceration, we do not believe that is appropriate or justified," Rudd said Wednesday, according to a transcript of his remarks released by his ministry.

"Secondly, consistent with statements we've made in Australia, this sentence should be brought to a termination and he should be released."

Liu, 54, was sentenced to 11 years in prison last December on subversion charges after co-authoring Charter 08, a petition calling for sweeping political reform that has been circulated online and signed by thousands.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last month, angering China, which said the honour was tantamount to "encouraging crime".

Rudd did not say specifically when he would raise the issues with Chinese leaders during his visit to Beijing, though he hinted that it did not come up with his counterpart Yang Jiechi in Shanghai.

"It's part of the normal exchange with China that matters of difficulty are raised and aired, as are the great interests we have in common," he said, noting that such relations could not always be "sweetness and apple pie".

"These sorts of questions will always be raised by me with appropriate Chinese leaders and there will be no difference on this score."

Ties between Canberra and Beijing became rocky earlier this year over the jailing of an Australian national working in China for mining giant Rio Tinto on charges of bribery and commercial espionage.

Rudd said he would adopt a "third way" approach to dealing with China -- "a constructive way, a positive way, a practical way of engaging our Chinese friends on all the interests we have in common".

Rudd is part of a major Australian diplomatic charm offensive in China -- he is one of four ministers to visit the world's second-largest economy this week.

China is Australia's major trading partner, with two-way trade expected to top 85 billion US dollars this year as the Asian giant seeks raw materials to feed its rapid industrialisation.

Resources exports to China helped Australia stare down recession during the global slump.

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