The World Health Assembly has adopted a resolution to establish the independent inquiry with the support of a record 137 nations.

Mr Hunt said the international support for the investigation was deeply heartening.

"This resolution will represent a transformative moment in international disease detection and discovery," he told reporters in Melbourne.

Australia wants to see the united front result in beefed up powers for independent disease detectives, giving them similar clout to weapons inspectors.

Mr Hunt said those capabilities would be crucial to detect the source and transmission of diseases as early as possible.

"We know that in a connected world we have to do this," he said.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne has called on China not to conflate trade issues with a diplomatic tensions over the coronavirus inquiry.

Australia says the inquiry has a clear mandate to look at the origins of the virus, an issue that sparked a deepening rift with China.

Bloomberg reports Chinese officials are considering stricter checks for some seafood, oats and fruit, and state media could encourage consumer boycotts.

Senator Payne said Australian exports would always comply with other countries' rules.

"We would be disappointed if there was any process of conflating these issues," she told ABC radio.

She said trade issues should be dealt with on their merits.

China has slapped an 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley and banned imports from four major abattoirs as relations soured between the two nations.

The inquiry resolution does not mention China, instead committing to an impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation of the pandemic.

China eventually supported the European Union motion after weeks of anger towards Australia over its push for an inquiry.

Senator Payne last month warned the World Health Organisation leading the investigation would be "a bit poacher and gamekeeper".

But she is now comfortable with the organisation's independent oversight advisory committee conducting the inquiry.

"They serve in their personal (capacity). They are not, if you like part, of the WHO structure."

China escalated its war of words with Australia on Tuesday, calling Australia's claims the inquiry vindicated the government's stance "nothing but a joke".

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham accused the Chinese ambassador of "cheap politicking" on a serious issue.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said Australia would appeal the barley decision directly with China before launching action at the World Trade Organisation.

Australian Associated Press