Australia PM Albanese says has not received invitation for China visit

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday he would accept an invitation to visit China but has yet to receive one, in a response to speculation that planning for a visit to Beijing was well advanced.
South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources, that Beijing had issued an “in principle” invitation to Albanese and his trade minister Don Farrell to visit China.
The visit would likely take place in October or November, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first visit by an Australian prime minister, the report said.
Albanese said on Wednesday he had checked with his office and confirmed no invitation had been received. The prime minister said he hoped dialogue would continue, pointing to a meeting between Australia’s assistant trade minister and his Chinese counterpart at the Bo’ao forum in Hainan province last week.