Thaw in Australia-China relations as ex-PM Howard warmly received in China

Scott Morrison has yet to visit China since he became Australia's Prime Minister earlier this year in August.

Former prime minister John Howard and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi. Source: SBS

Former prime minister John Howard has led an Australian delegation at a high-level dialogue in Beijing amid a warming of ties between the two countries.

Mr Howard met one of China’s most senior diplomats, Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, at the Zhongnanhai leader’s compound.

A group of academics, business leaders and former politicians were in attendance, including former foreign minister Stephen Smith, Australian ambassador to China Jan Adams and former ACCC chief Alan Fells.

In meeting Mr Yang, Mr Howard praised the people-to-people links as well the "Chinese influence in all of our cities" - saying they are both important to the bilateral relationship. 

"The Chinese-Australian population is an integral part of our community and that people-to-people association is a very important part of the relationship," Mr Howard told Mr Yang in front of media.

About 1.2 million Australians have Chinese heritage.

The former prime minister also highlighted the economic ties between the nations, saying it has now strengthened to include education and services.

"The Chinese market was very valuable to Australia during the Global Financial Crisis," he said. "It was one of the reasons why it left our country relatively unscathed."

Mr Howard's former electorate of Bennelong has a large proportion of Chinese Australians, 21 per cent in the electorate compared to 5.2 per cent in the state generally. 

His visit takes place as bilateral relations warm after a year of diplomatic tensions between the governments.

"As long as the two sides adhere to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, they can push bilateral ties to maintain a stable development," Mr Yang said.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Trade Minister Simon Birmingham visited Beijing last month ending a year-long diplomatic freeze imposed by Beijing on ministerial visits to China.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is yet to visit China, but has said he plans to emulate Mr Howard's approach towards cultivating a strong Australian relationship with both China and the United States.