The new Australian government wants to stabilize its relationship with China, but will not make any concessions on national interests, said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on the eve of a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 meeting at the Ball. This will be the first meeting of foreign ministers of major trading partners in three years.

China is Australia's largest trading partner and largest buyer of its iron ore, but relations have deteriorated in recent years.

China has imposed trade sanctions on Australian goods ranging from coal to seafood to wine in response to Australian policies and decisions, notably calls for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19, a 5G network ban on Huawei and investigations into foreign interference.

Beijing urged Australia to take precise action to restore relations.

Since its election in May, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government has said it wants China to reverse trade measures taken against Australia. Wong also expressed concern about two Australian journalists detained in China and awaiting sentencing in national security cases.