Prime Minister Julia Gillard has wrapped up a successful week-long tour of North Asia with a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Ms Gillard met with Mr Hu in Beijing's Great Hall of the People for the final major engagement of her visit to China, South Korea and Japan.
The leaders' meeting focused on economic and defence ties, but Ms Gillard also raised human rights concerns, as she did with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao a day earlier.
Ms Gillard said it was important Australia raise human rights because of "who we are and what we believe".
"I do believe China does listen to and respond to international opinion," Ms Gillard told reporters.
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The meeting marked the end of a very successful tour for the prime minister.
Having admitted she has no passion for foreign affairs, Ms Gillard remains cautious on the world stage.
Throughout the trip - arguably the most important of her young prime ministership - she stuck closely to her scripted remarks and avoided wading into deeper foreign policy waters.
But she has clearly begun developing a solid rapport with Asian leaders.
Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan and South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak afforded her particularly warm welcomes.
Senior Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sources say they are extremely pleased with the prime minister's performance.
Though the tour did not result in any significant new policy announcements or directions, Ms Gillard also seemed happy with the trip.
"I've been pleased with each of the visits," she told reporters. "I've been pleased to be able to engage in those discussions. I believe in each nation we've been able to make some progress."
Before meeting with Mr Hu on Wednesday, Ms Gillard was given a special tour of Beijing's stunning 600-year-old Forbidden City.
Thousands of tourists were kept behind barriers as Ms Gillard, partner Tim Mathieson and their entourage were guided through the colourful and ornate buildings once home to China's emperors.
She then attended a lunch with a who's who of Chinese business leaders. She also met with Li Zhong, the Chinese woman who acted as interpreter to Gough Whitlam when he made his historic visits to China, first as opposition leader in 1971 and then as prime minister in 1973.
After learning Ms Li was still alive, Ms Gillard asked the Australian embassy to her track down.
"She played a part in what was an historic moment for Australia-China relations assisting Mr Whitlam," Ms Gillard said.
Ms Gillard will leave China on Thursday bound for the royal wedding in the United Kingdom.
Asked what she was wearing to the wedding, Ms Gillard laughed and said: "You'll be able to see on the day".
