Beijing: The Huawei controversy dominated a high-level meeting in Beijing between Australia and China, in the wake of the dramatic arrest of Huawei executive heiress Meng Wanzhou.

Former Australian prime minister John Howard meets Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi at Zhongnanhai in Beijing. Credit:Sanghee Liu

Former prime minister John Howard led the Australian delegation at annual talks and later met with China's most senior diplomat, Politburo member Yang Jiechi, at the Zhongnanhai leader's compound.

Yang, a top advisor on the United States and a friend of the Bush family, noted Howard had been the Australian prime minister for 11 years and said China remembered his "important contributions to bilateral ties".

"The continued growth of Australia China relations requires joint efforts from both sides," he said.