Australia has raised China's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific during critical talks, as security experts blasted the lack of warning given to its regional neighbours.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers co-chaired the Australia-China Strategic Economic Dialogue in Beijing on Thursday.
Ahead of Dr Chalmers' arrival, the Chinese military's rocket force test-fired the missile for the first time in more than four decades.
Re-establishing dialogue with China is another important step towards stabilising our economic relationship.— Jim Chalmers MP (@JEChalmers) It's an economic relationship that is full of complexity and opportunity.But we have the best chance to manage and maximise those links when we engage in a meaningful… pic.twitter.com/nQtS2Rb4UMSeptember 27, 2024
Australian, Japanese and New Zealand navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday.
Speaking in Beijing on Friday, Dr Chalmers confirmed he had raised the missile blast during talks with Chinese officials.
"I was able to reiterate in the meetings yesterday afternoon our expectations of safe and professional conduct of all militaries operating in our region," he said.
"I was able to raise that in the conversation yesterday afternoon, but as you would expect the overwhelming focus of our discussions here has been the economy."
The Australian Navy's passage through the strait was not discussed during the meeting.
"Australia, like other countries in our region and around the world, has a lot at stake when it comes to a stable, secure, peaceful and prosperous region," Dr Chalmers said.
"These are routine activities, and they're conducted in accordance with international law."
Australian National University expert associate Jennifer Parker said the missile test was unlikely to be a response to the warships of other nations transiting through the strait as tests took time to plan.
Australian, Japanese and New Zealand navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
She said reports Beijing informed the US of the launch beforehand were positive news - something that might hopefully become the norm and help avoid potential miscalculations.
"However, the failure to inform other regional countries including Australia and Japan is irresponsible," Ms Parker said.
"The fact that China announced the test firing after the event clearly demonstrates they are aiming to send a message about their capabilities and where they see their place on the world stage."
Ms Parker said sending an Australian warship through the Taiwan Strait demonstrated to China that Canberra would not be intimidated by Beijing's attempts to rewrite international maritime law.
"That this transit occurred in company with Japanese and New Zealand warships shows the closeness of Australia's alliances and partnerships, and the common international sentiment that does not support China's illegal maritime claims," the navy veteran said.
Dr Chalmers, the first Australian treasurer in seven years to visit China, said it was "crucial" the economic dialogue was restarted.
"It's a very good outcome for Australia that we will be hosting our counterparts next year to continue to advance these discussions on areas like trade and investment, decarbonisation of our industries, business engagement," he said.
Lingering trade bans remain on Australian beef exports and rock lobster after Beijing removed most of the $20 billion sanctions imposed in 2020 during strained relations.
Dr Chalmers said that during the talks he spoke about "safeguarding" the global rules-based system of open trade and having fair and free markets which had served economies "so well".