Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has returned home after a whirlwind 36-hour visit to China in which he tried to prevent rising tensions over China's military build-up from overshadowing business ties.

Deepening trade, tourism and research links dominated the formal side of the visit, but rapidly rising tensions between China and the US in the South China Sea proved a point of friction that neither side could ignore.

Mr Turnbull was afforded generous political hospitality on his first visit as Prime Minister, meeting not just his counterpart Li Keqiang, but also China's President Xi Jinping for a private dinner.

Analysts said the meeting with Mr Xi demonstrated the increasing importance China's leaders attach to the relationship with Australia.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-16/turnbull-returns-from-first-visit-to-china/7331912