Foreign Minister Julie Bishop insists she had a warm and positive discussion with her Chinese counterpart but did raise concerns about the South China Sea.
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At a time of seemingly strained relations with China over Australia's foreign interference laws, the minister met with Wang Yi while attending a G20 foreign ministers meeting in Buenos Aires.
But she was trumpeting the hour-long sit-down which canvassed security, trade and economic issues, as well as North Korea.
"It was very warm and candid and constructive," she told ABC radio on Tuesday.
Mr Yi said he was looking forward to hosting Ms Bishop for their annual talks, this year in Beijing, she said.
She acknowledged countries don't always see eye-to-eye, but said Australia's relationship with China is strong and the pair discussed new areas of co-operation.
"We certainly had a very warm and positive meeting, as I expected. I get along very well with Foreign Minister Wang Yi."
But she also confirmed she discussed concerns about the militarisation of disputed areas of the South China Sea, as she has in the past.
Last week, Chinese communist party mouthpiece The Global Times said Australia-China relations were "among the worst of all Western nations."
No Australian minister had visited the Chinese mainland for eight months until Trade Minister Steve Ciobo broke the drought last week.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to visit China later in the year, but Ms Bishop did not shed light on any timing.
Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong has accused the federal government of "clumsy" handling of Canberra's ties with Beijing.
Australian Associated Press