Wong met with Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday for the Sixth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue – the first in four years – alongside a small delegation of high-level officials.

“We can grow our bilateral relationship and uphold both our national interests if both countries navigate our differences wisely,” she said at the start of the meeting.

They discussed trade issues, human rights and Australians detained in China as well as world rules and norms that underpin global and regional security and prosperity.

“We have different views about how our political system should operate and we have different interests but we need to seek to manage those differences,” Wong said.

The pair also fielded opportunities for further talks, with Wong suggesting a “more structured dialogue” including meetings of trade and economic ministers.

“We have agreed to maintain high-level engagement and we’ve agreed to further dialogue in a range of those areas,” she added.

The visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Australia diplomatic relations under the Whitlam Labor government in 1972.

Wang told Wong China and Australia had no fundamental conflicts of interest and should use the anniversary to reset relations.

“China and Australia have no historical grievances and no fundamental conflicts of interest and should and can become partners in mutual need,” he said during their meeting, according to a ministry statement.

Australia’s foreign minister also asked for the Australia citizens, journalist Cheng Lei and author Yang Hengjun, to be reunited with their families “as soon as possible”.

She advocated for the resumption of consular access to the pair, while acknowledging the spread of COVID-19 in China had “presented some problems”.

“We advocate for a range of things,” Wong said after the 90-minute meeting.

“They include for those Australians to be reunited with their families as soon as possible but we also advocate for the observance of consular agreements.”

Wong also discussed human rights issues, including in Tibet, Hong Kong and China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang.

“Australia believes … human rights are universal,” she said.

Ties between Australia and its biggest trading partner have deteriorated in recent years, with China imposing sanctions on Australian exports in 2020 after the former coalition government called for an international inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.

After her meeting with Wang, Wong signalled there will be further developments on various trade issues related to “blockages” impacting about $20 billion worth of Australian exports.

It was in the interest of Australian exporters and Chinese consumers that the trade sanctions be removed, she said.

Federal Nationals Leader David Littleproud said Wong should be congratulated for making a “good step” in Australia-China relations.

“If we can advance that relationship along with dialogue, as long as our principles aren’t breached, that’s a good thing for our country and region in terms of peace and prosperity,” he told Nine’s Today show on Thursday.

“Penny Wong has done a great job.”

Wong was asked if Australia would support China’s quest to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership – a free trade agreement involving Australia and other countries – as part of the discussion around the sanctions.

“I’ve previously said … any economy that sought to join the CPTPP (our focus is) to ensure that all parties to the agreement are confident that it could meet its very high standards,” she said.

-AAP