Anthony Albanese issued 'in principle' invitation to Beijing, Chinese reports say

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could visit Beijing within a few months after reportedly receiving an invitation from the Chinese government.

The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, which is owned by Chinese online retail giant Alibaba, is reporting an "in principle" invitation has been extended to the Australian prime minister and that he could make the trip in September or October.

Malcolm Turnbull was the last Australian prime minister to go to Beijing in 2016. A visit from Albanese later in the year would fall on the 50th anniversary of when Gough Whitlam became the first-ever Australian leader to visit China.

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The Post is also reporting Trade Minister Don Farrell has also been issued a separate invitation for a visit of his own, which is likely to take place before any visit by Albanese.

"[Beijing] issued 'in-principle' invitations to Prime Minister Albanese and trade minister Farrell to visit Beijing some time ago. These are not new invitations," the Post quoted a source close to the Australian government today.

The source reportedly added that nothing has been confirmed but that a September or October date has been discussed.

The report comes on the same day Chinese-owned social media app TikTok was banned on Australian government devices due to concerns data could be accessed by Beijing.

Relations between the two nations, while improved under the Albanese government, have been strained in recent years and again by last month's signing of the AUKUS defence agreement, which China criticised as a "typical Cold War mentality which will only motivate an arms race".

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Albanese has previously said he is open to visiting China should an invitation be extended.

"I've said that if I was invited, I would go," he told 6PR radio yesterday.

"I think that dialogue is always a good thing. It's always good to talk and engage.

"That doesn't mean that we don't have differences, we're a great democracy. China is not a democracy. And with that comes differences in the way that we're structured.

"But as our major trading partner, a lot of Australian jobs and economic activity is connected with China as well as our other major trading partners."

Albanese also said there are "no plans at this point in time" for a visit.

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