Australian news and politics live: Anthony Albanese, Xi Jinping officially meet in Beijing

Before his official sitdown with Xi Jinping, Anthony Albanese had been careful not to pre-empt how his meeting with the world’s second-most powerful leader would go.

He had a cruisey first leg of his state visit spruiking Australia’s economic offerings and being wooed by Chinese officials and business leaders in the glitzy beauty of central Shanghai.

But chasmic differences remain and both sides have indicated they will raise them despite efforts to keep things positive.

In his opening remarks, the PM raised issues of steel decarbonisation, medical technology, sports, stability and prosperity of the region, China-Australia Free Trade and business engagement.

But questions have been raised over whether the Port of Darwin’s ownership, Pentagon’s push for a Taiwan stance, a Chinese navy’s circumnavigation of Australia and the plight of jailed Chinese-Australian writer Dr Yang Hengjun will be mentioned behind closed doors.

The official meeting between Anthony Albanese and Xi Jinping has appeared warm and friendly as the PM received a red carpet reception in Beijing on Tuesday.

The Chinese President, smiling, greeted his Australian guest in the East Hall - one of the many spacious ornate chambers in the Great Hall of the People.

With the Australian and Chinese national flags adorning the walls, it was a welcome befitting the charm offensive waged on the Prime Minister since landing over the weekend.

The leaders seated opposite a long polished table, Mr Xi praised Mr Albanese for fostering stronger ties.

Mr Albanese was keen to echo his host.

Xi Jinping has commended Anthony Albanese for turning the relationship between the two nations around.

In his opening and only public remarks during the pair’s official meeting on Tuesday in Beijing, the Chinese President talked up the cooperation between the pair.

He firstly congratulated the Australian Prime Minister on his reelection on May 3 before sharing his desire to see the China-Australian relationship strengthened.

According to translations, he said the pair have shared “depth” in their discussions on “strategic overarching issues” and “rose from the setback and turned around” under the former Morrison Government.

Media have been swiftly removed from the Great Hall of the People in Beijing after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made brief remarks to each other.

A small media contingent following the PM’s week-long trip to China were invited into the hall on Tuesday for the official meeting but their footage was abruptly interrupted as Mr Albanese wrapped up his opening remarks.

Several men stood in front of cameras live streaming the proceedings before ushering them away.

It came after another group of journalists travelling in the PM’s delegation were confronted by council security officers after filming a popular Beijing tourist attraction earlier in the day.

Chinese security guards have confronted a group of Australian TV journalists filming in Beijing ahead of the Prime Minister’s meeting with President Xi Jinping.

The officials demanded reporters on the ground from SBS, ABC, Sky News, Channel Nine and Channel 7 hand over their footage and show their permissions for filming near a local tourist attraction.

The group were initially told they were not allowed to leave the site until the police had arrived.

SBS correspondent Anna Henderson said a diplomat from the Australian embassy intervened as the group were encircled and they were later allowed to depart on the media bus without further incident.

The ABC’s Stephen Dziedzic said the Australian embassy had ensured the reporters had the correct permission to film but “perhaps that hadn’t been passed all the way down the chain..”

During his official meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, Anthony Albanese raised the need for direct discussions on peace in the region.

In his opening remarks, Mr Albanese said it was important that Australia expressed its “thinking on how we can maintain peace, security, stability and prosperity”

“It is important that we have these direct discussions on issues that matter to us, and to the stability and prosperity of our region,” Mr Albanese said.

“As you and I have agreed previously, dialogue needs to be at the centre of our relationship, and I welcome the opportunity to set out Australia’s views and interests and our thinking on how we can maintain peace, security, stability and prosperity in our region.

“I look forward very much to another productive conversation with you today.”

Anthony Albanese has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

Both leaders have made brief remarks and welcomed their shared cooperation.

President Xi has said China is seeking common ground while sharing differences in his opening remarks.

The PM outlined his engagements during the week-long trip and the importance of the bilateral relationship.

Sussan Ley has described her first meeting with new State Liberal leader Basil Zemplias as “terrific” and said the two spoke about female participation in the party.

“I had a terrific first meeting with Basil Zempilas yesterday. There are many areas of alignment between federal policy and state government policy,” she said.

“I am agnostic about how we would get that female representation into the Parliament, but I am an absolute zealot that we do that. And Basil and I agreed.”

The Opposition leader is in WA on a nation-wide listening tour after their diabolical defeat on May 3.

Sussan Ley has said the Chinese navy’s circumnavigation of Australia earlier this year was “not a respectful relationship” and urged Anthony Albanese to strengthen it during his China trip.

The Opposition leader told reporters in Perth on Tuesday, she hoped several issues would be raised during the PM’s week-long visit.

“Also of concern is the live firing exercises that took place around our coastline in February this year. That was not a respectful relationship,” she said.

“The Prime Minister should speak frankly about the increasing influence that China has in the region.”

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has slammed the Albanese Government over leaked Treasurer advice and says the PM will have to clean up the tax mess when he returns from his China trip.

“The Prime Minister is overseas, and he’s obviously talking about matters that are important… he has got some explaining to do,” she said.

“Because while the Prime Minister was away, it became clear that the Government has leaked its own Treasury advice.

“That leaked advice - leaked by the Albanese Government - also says that there aren’t many options open to this Government other than raising taxes.

“It’s pretty disappointing that we have a treasurer who’s responded to this leaked report by saying he’s quite relaxed. Really?”