Approach China with optimism, Labor urges

Australia needs to approach China with confidence and optimism, not from a risk management perspective, Labor has urged the nation's diplomats.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong commended the Asian Century white paper, commissioned by the previous Labor government, to Australia's ambassadors, who are gathered in Canberra for a two-day summit as part of the process of drafting a new foreign policy white paper.

While the Asian Century document had all but disappeared from public discussions, it remained relevant, Senator Wong said.

"We need an Asia policy more in tune with the confident and optimistic approach of the Asian Century white paper than one which is diminished by trepidation or a preoccupation with the more transactional features of day-to-day diplomacy," she said.

"We need a China policy that begins with what China actually is, rather than through the lens of risk management."

Australia should be looking at China's "belt and road" engagement strategy to find points of mutual interest and rather than "reflexive negativity", she said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last week sought to gain federal government support for Australia to get involved in Beijing's new silk road map - a mammoth infrastructure building plan - during his official visit last week.

Australia and Beijing have been in talks since October on an agreement to link the new initiative, known as One Belt, One Road, with the federal government's strategy to unlock the potential of northern Australia through major infrastructure projects.