China says a "political force" in Australia that views it as a rival and its development as a threat has been responsible for the deterioration of the relationship between the two countries.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi made comments about China–Australia relations to members of the Chinese media while visiting Papua New Guinea.
Mr Wang said a reset in the relationship required "concrete actions" and that there was "no autopilot".
"The crux of the difficulties in China–Australia relations in the past few years is that some political force in Australia insists on viewing China as a rival rather than a partner and framing China's development as a threat rather than an opportunity," a statement from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
"This has led to a significant retrogression of the many-year positive and pragmatic China policy by Australia.
"The solution is looking at China and China–Australia relations in a sensible and positive way, uphold mutual respect, seek common ground while shelving differences, and create the necessary conditions for bringing bilateral relations back on the normal track."
The comments came as Mr Wang finished an eight-country tour of the Pacific region that has raised concerns in Washington and Canberra.
In the wake of his trip, Australia's new Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, also flew to the region, visiting Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
China has signed more than 50 agreements while touring Pacific countries but failed to convince 10 nations to sign on to a sweeping regional trade and security deal.
It now appears discussions around that agreement could be delayed until next year and could lead to the creation of a new sub-regional discussion forum between China and the 10 Pacific nations that have diplomatic relationships.
Agreements signed in Timor-Leste
Mr Wang finished his unprecedented tour in Timor-Leste on Saturday.
On the final leg of his trip, he held a series of meetings with Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and former president Xanana Gusmao.
The two countries also signed several agreements on issues such as civil aviation, agriculture, increased economic and technical cooperation, and a media licensing agreement.
He flew into Timor-Leste from Port Moresby, where he had meetings with PNG's Foreign Minister and Prime Minister during a very brief visit.
The limited schedule in PNG was likely due to the fact the country is in the midst of an election campaign, but Prime Minister James Marape hit back at criticism that the timing was awkward or inappropriate.
"Although we were not the principle point of visit to the Pacific, we are privileged to have received him," he said.
"China–PNG relationship cannot be compromised or sabotaged — it's a very important relationship."
In PNG, minor agreements were signed on promoting investment in green development, aid for COVID-19 and the development of an anti-narcotics centre.
'Give the Australian journalist a chance'
There has been criticism about the limited media access given during Mr Wang's tour.
In Port Moresby, a joint press conference was scheduled but as it was about to start, media were told that after both ministers had spoken, only one Chinese journalist and one PNG journalist could ask a question of their own foreign minister.
Solomon Islands journalists boycotted a press conference when similar rules were set in advance there.
However, when Mirriam Zarriga, a reporter from PNG daily paper The Post Courier, asked a question about the Solomons security deal, both the PNG and Chinese foreign ministers responded.
So, at last, a pacific journalist was able to ask a question and get a response from Mr Wang.
At the end of the press conference, Mr Wang then made a point of calling on the ABC to also ask a question.
"The host country asked one question while China asked another," he said in Mandarin.
"It seems that reporters from Australia have always wanted to ask questions."
He turned to his PNG counterpart as he finished, saying: "If my friend agrees, we will give the Australian journalist a chance."
The ABC asked Mr Wang about the inability to get the 10 Pacific nations to sign on to the proposed regional deal, and if he viewed his trip as a success.
Following the joint press conference as PNG media were interviewing Mr Marape, Chinese media conducted a separate interview where Mr Wang made the comments about the relationship between Australia and China.
In Timor-Leste, journalists protested the ban on questions to the Foreign Minister ahead of the press conference and Mr Wang then agreed to speak to journalists.
Talks on China-Pacific regional pact may resume
When faced with a question on the Solomon Islands security pact, PNG's Foreign Minister Soroi Eoe said their discussions hadn't "touched on things of that nature".
He said the deal was "between Solomon Islands and China".
Mr Wang said Solomon Islands had asked for security cooperation, and the deal complied with international law.
"China has never imposed anything on others," he said.
"As for some media reports that said China would sign regional security agreements with all countries, I want to tell you that this is disinformation."
On the issue of the broader 10-nation deal that had been put forward by China, which included trade and security, Mr Eoe suggested it would be delayed.
"Pacific Island countries to which China has bilateral agreements have decided to postpone this discussion to next year," he said.
Mr Eoe said it was a collective decision made with China to allow the matter to be properly discussed.
There had been suggestions that the agreement could go before the Pacific Islands Forum, which includes four nations that acknowledge Taiwan instead of China, along with Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Wang said while China's cooperation in the region is based on bilateral relationships, they may establish a separate regional platform.
"In accordance with the wishes of the 10 island countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, we are also willing to build a sub-regional cooperation platform to conduct collective dialogue, enhance our consensus, coordinate our cooperation, and form greater synergy."
Frustration with geopolitics among Pacific nations
Geopolitics, the battle for influence and security tensions, has been the focus of discussions about the trip, which has been a point of frustration for many Pacific leaders who would prefer to focus on domestic development issues and climate change.
Mr Marape said he wanted both China and Australia to emphasise building business links with PNG and improving the country's economy.
"Papua New Guinea's fundamental foreign policy has always been: friends to all and enemies to none," he said.
"The latest contemporary east and west debate, really, it's a no-brainer for Papua New Guinea, we are an equal playing ground for everyone."
Before Mr Wang's visit, the ABC was reliably informed that the Chinese delegation would be donating 2,000 helmets and sets of body armour, but that wasn't announced.
"There was no discussion in my meeting [with Wang Yi], if it has happened and it possibly happened elsewhere," Mr Marape said.
Mr Marape said PNG would be taking full responsibility for security matters and would not be accepting any grants or donations, including from Australia and China.
Australia provides extensive support to PNG's police and army, most recently a donation of 100 body-worn cameras from Australian Federal Police.
