Following talks between Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, China outlined four ways ties could be restored.

After blaming the previous coalition government for a breakdown in relations between the two countries, Mr Wang said Australia would need to treat China as a partner rather than a rival, as well as reject "manipulation by a third party" - a veiled reference to the United States.

Despite the demands from China, Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said Australia's stance towards China had remained the same.

"While the Australian government has changed, our national interest has not changed and our approach to China has not changed," Mr Conroy told ABC Radio on Monday.

"That's an important message for China to hear, but it is important that we meet with their ministers."

Other demands from China included that the two countries look for common ground, while also building public support.

China's foreign minister said he hoped Australia could "seize the opportunity" and come to a "correct understanding of China".

"The root cause of the difficulties in Chinese and Australian relations in recent years lies in the insistence of previous Australian governments to treat China as an 'opponent' and even a 'threat'," Mr Wang said.

The talks between Senator Wong and Mr Wang were the first discussions between foreign ministers of the two countries in three years, following a diplomatic freeze.

Since that time, China has placed trade sanctions on many Australian goods such as barley, beef and wine.

Mr Conroy said the federal government was still seeking to push China on key items in the national interests in the wake of diplomatic talks resuming.

"There are significant issues that we need to resolve such as the trade blockage, such as the detention of several Australian citizens and we're working hard on that," he said.

"But this is a process that will take a long time, and we're committed to that dialogue, but our national interest has not changed."

Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts said the meeting between Senator Wong and Mr Wang represented an important first step.

While China had sent a list of demands following the meeting, Mr Watts said Australia had been clear over the issues in the bilateral relationship.

"It was a frank conversation where both sides of the meeting made their interests and priorities clear," he told Sky News on Monday.

"This was one step, but Australia will remain calm and consistent in our representation."

Nationals leader David Littleproud defended the handling of the relationship with China by the previous government.

He said the talk from China and list of demands following the meeting was "propaganda".

"We're happy to have dialogue, but it's not giving demands, that's not how you throw your weight around the international community," he told Sky News.

"This should be about having open dialogue, respectful dialogue, respecting one another's sovereignty ... and that's what we did as a government."

Australian Associated Press