Beijing: It is the same state guesthouse where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was entertained by Chinese president Xi Jinping as Kim made his first secret visit abroad in March.

That was a significant thaw for China. Now the Australian thaw will be tested at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Bound for China: Marise Payne. Credit:Andrew Meares

Foreign affairs minister Marise Payne arrived to a chilly Beijing late on Wednesday evening, the first day of winter in the ancient Chinese solar calendar.

Today Payne will attend the fifth Australia-China foreign and strategic dialogue, the highest level bilateral meeting to be held on Chinese soil this year.