An Australian Uyghur man whose wife and toddler are trapped in Xinjiang, China, has been given fresh hope of being reunited with his family, with Beijing's foreign ministry offering "assistance".

Key points: Australia has requested the wife and son of a Uyghur Australian man be allowed to leave

Australia has requested the wife and son of a Uyghur Australian man be allowed to leave China has said it will "offer necessary assistance" after Australia's request

China has said it will "offer necessary assistance" after Australia's request Lawyers have welcomed China's statement and asked Australia to fast-track a visa for the woman

Sadam Abudusalamu has never met his almost two-year-old son Lutfy, who is an Australian citizen.

Mr Abudusalamu's wife Nadila Wumaier has been prevented from leaving the far-western region of Xinjiang, where the UN says there is a "massive internment camp" where 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been rounded up, detained and sent for "re-education".

Australia this week formally requested that Chinese authorities allow Lutfy and his mother to leave the country and travel to Australia.

Uyghur woman Nadila Wumaier and her son Lutfy, who is an Australian citizen, remain trapped in Xinjiang. ( Supplied )

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Geng Shuang told a press conference he had not seen "the relevant statement from the Australian side" but authorities were looking into it.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang denied reports Beijing interferes in Australian politics after Malcolm Tunbull announced espionage law changes. December 6, 2017 ( Supplied: Chinese Foreign Ministry )

"If the Australian side has provided detailed information for us via the bilateral channel, we will offer necessary assistance," he said.

Mr Abudusalamu was buoyed by China's response and told the ABC he had a "positive feeling" about his family's plight.

"It's really positive," he said.

"I'm really happy about the promise from China's Foreign Affairs.

"I really hope they can keep their word."

He said he hoped to finally meet his son on Australian soil before he turned two at the end of August.

"I really want to see him before his second birthday," he said.

"I want to celebrate his birthday with him and my wife and my family together.

Mr Abudusalamu's lawyer Michael Bradley said China's tone was the most promising sign yet in the family's bid to be reunited and he hoped the case would "move in a positive direction".

"We're taking it as a hopeful sign," he said.

"Maybe there are discussions going on behind the scenes."

"It's clear that from the last couple of days that both governments are well aware of the situation and in some form or another are doing something about it.

"It's a big step forward, and that's certainly the first time that's been the case."

Sadam Abudusalamu holds his son Lutfy's Australian passport and citizenship certificate outside Marise Payne's office this week. ( Supplied )

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Mr Bradley's firm, Marque Lawyers, has also requested Australia fast-track a visa for Ms Wumaier in the event she is permitted to leave Xinjiang.

The Department of Home Affairs said in a statement it did not comment on individual cases, but added: "Where compelling and compassionate circumstances exist, the department will seek to expedite the processing of a visa application."

Mr Abudusalamu was one of many Australian-based Uyghurs who spoke out about the widespread persecution and system of oppression operating in China on the ABC's Four Corners program on Monday.

He said his wife was subsequently called to a Chinese police station and warned her husband should keep his mouth shut.

Ms Wumaier has since told her husband she is "alright" and Mr Abudusalamu said he was trying to reassure her.

"We're almost there, don't be scared, we will be together," he said.

He said he had been overwhelmed by an outpouring of support from Australians on social media.

"In the last three days, my Twitter and Facebook has blown up — that makes me so happy," he said.

"There are lots of Aussies … saying 'I'm standing with Sadam'."

"Those words mean a lot to me, I am really touched."

China has denied accusations its internment camp amounts to a "concentration camp", saying the measures it is taking are necessary to stamp out extremism.

After the Four Corners episode aired, the Chinese embassy in Australia lashed out at the program, saying it was "full of lies, distortion and bias".

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it had made the formal request for the mother and child to travel to Australia.

The Chinese embassy in Australia has been contacted for comment.

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