Australian news and politics live: Anthony Albanese reveals details of Xi Jinping official talks in Beijing

Anthony Albanese has shared insight into his formal talks with President Xi Jinping, saying both leaders spoke about the mutual benefits the nations share.

“We… discussed our economic relationship, which is critical to Australia, we spoke about the potential for new engagement in areas such as decarbonisation, that was the subject of the forum that was held yesterday,” he told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday.

“I reaffirmed on Taiwan the position of Australia of support for the status quo.”

He said the two nations must engage in dialogue to “guard against misunderstanding”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has labelled his official meeting with President Xi Jinping as “very constructive” and said “dialogue must be at the centre” of the relationship.

“We spoke about the range of issues facing our relationship with China. I am always guided by Australia’s national interest,” he said.

“My Government’s approach to our relationship with China is patient, calibrated and deliberate.

“We want to cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, but engaging in our national interest.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s press conference appears to be running behind schedule.

We will bring you the latest information and Mr Albanese’s comments after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as soon as it gets underway.

Anthony Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon have been invited to a banquet after the PM’s official meeting with President Xi Jinping.

The invitation to lunch was extended to the two in the opening remarks of the pair’s meeting in the Great Hall of the People.

It came after nearly an hour of discussions, of which no details have been made public.

After lunch, Mr Albanese will hold a press conference before he meets with Chairman Zhao Leji and Premier Li Qiang.

Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese have shared a warm photo opportunity in Beijing, shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries and grinning at cameras on Tuesday.

“Good to see you, welcome,” an interpreter translated for President Xi as the PM walked towards him in front of several Chinese and Australian flags.

“Wonderful to be here,” the PM responded, shaking hands for more than 12 seconds as they posed for pictures.

After the meeting, the PM posted on X, formerly Twitter, that it had been a

“constructive meeting”.

“Australia’s relationship with China is important - for our economy, our security, and the stability of our region,” he added.

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..”