The first visit by an Australian treasurer to China in seven years is being labelled a critical step towards a more stable relationship with the nation's largest trading partner.
Jim Chalmers has begun two days of talks with key Chinese economic figures, as tensions between the two countries continue to ease.
Dr Chalmers, who is the first treasurer to visit mainland China since Scott Morrison in 2017, said the relationship was full of "complexity and opportunity".
"We recognise a more stable economic relationship between Australia and China is a good thing for Australian workers, businesses, investors and our country more broadly," he said in a statement on Thursday.
"Dialogue and engagement gives us the best chance to properly manage and maximise these important links."
The trip comes after China dropped several economic sanctions against Australian goods such as beef, barley and wine.
But restrictions remain on Australian lobster.
Dr Chalmers will chair the Australia-China strategic economic dialogue during the visit to Beijing, alongside China's national development and reform commission chair Zheng Shanjie.
He will meet with counterparts from the Chinese government.
"We recognise that there's a lot at stake and a lot to gain from the relationship with China," the treasurer said.
"We've got an opportunity to make sure both countries benefit from the continued complementarity of our economies, while protecting Australia's interests."
Foreign Minister Penny Wong met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi while in the US for the UN General Assembly.
She said she told Mr Wang Australia would still be a key player in the Quad group, which includes the US, India and Japan.
At the latest summit earlier in September, US President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic saying China was acting aggressively and testing countries across the region.
"I've explained to (China's foreign minister) that Australia is engaged in the Quad just as we engage in all other forums in pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, and that's what we work with partners to achieve," Senator Wong said in New York.
The treasurer's visit to Beijing comes after a thawing of relationship between Australia and China in recent years.
In November, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese became the first Australian leader to visit China since Malcolm Turnbull in 2016.
Australia hosted Chinese premier Li Qiang in June, where he met political and community leaders in Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.
