Australia ‘doesn’t respond to demands’, Anthony Albanese tells China

Anthony Albanese has said Australia "doesn't respond to demands", after China listed four ways the relationship between the two countries could be improved.

"We respond to our own national interest," Australia's prime minister said on Monday.

His comments followed last week's G20 meeting between Australia's foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

After recent hostilities between the two countries, the meeting on the sidelines of the G20 was seen as a thaw - Wong called it a "first step towards stabilising the relationship".

Wang said the "root cause" of the friction was the former Coalition government portraying his country as an "opponent" or a "threat", but also offered some advice on improving relations.

"First, stick to regarding China as a partner rather than a rival. Second, stick to the way we get along with each other, which features seeking common ground while reserving differences. Third, stick to not targeting any third party or being controlled by any third party. Fourth, stick to building positive and pragmatic social foundations and public support," he said.

Albanese said Australia will "cooperate with China where we can".