Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Premier Li has called for tighter co-operation with Australia in the face of downward economic pressure and a "complex international situation".
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Despite various tensions between the two nations, Premier Li said they shared "extensive common interests" in economic and trade issues.
He met with the prime minister during a bilateral meeting in Thailand on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit.
Premier Li said there was a "solid foundation" and "strong potential" for co-operation with Australia.
"We are ready to work with the Australian side to keep our relationship on the right track, deepen our mutual trust, and jointly maintain regional and global peace," he told Mr Morrison in Bangkok on Sunday.
"We are ready to work with Australia to fully unlock the potential of our relations and expand our business ties and people-to-people exchange.
"This is to the benefit of both sides. We hope our relations will move in the direction of steady and sound growth."
Relations between Australia and China have been heavily strained for many months, with senior ministers calling out Beijing for human rights abuses and attempts at foreign interference.
The detention of Chinese-Australian academic Yang Hengjun on espionage charges in Beijing is another sore point.
Australia has also expressed concerns about Chinese expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region and its use of so-called "debt diplomacy" there.
However, Mr Morrison insists Australia "greatly appreciates" its relationship with China, its No. 1 trading partner.
"This is an opportunity, among others, to talk about that relationship," he told Premier Li.
"Like you, I feel very strongly and am committed to improving that relationship and ensuring we realise its full potential.
"That said, we are already enjoying great things from this relationship."
The meeting was scheduled for 30 minutes but ran for almost 45.
The leaders spoke of new opportunities to partner on energy, particularly renewables projects, according to an official readout of he meeting.
Mr Morrison also rejected the idea that Australia must choose sides between the US, its closest security ally, and China, its largest trading partner.
The prime minister did hint at China adhering to global trade rules and said Australia would continue to carefully manage issues of conflict while leaving room for co-operation.
Australian Associated Press
