Joe Biden has raised a lengthy series of grievances with Xi Jinping,accusing Beijing of “coercive and increasingly aggressive” behaviour.
Three government and medical officials claim the diplomat was being treated in Bali in a report dismissed by Russia as “the highest level of fakes”.
The meeting will raise hopes China may start to remove crippling tariffs from Australian goods.
Since the invasion of Ukraine,Western officials have shown contempt for Moscow in a range of ways. But as world leaders meet in Bali,Albanese won’t be adopting any snubbing tactics.
The Chinese Premier has moved to reset relations with Australia,while Treasurer Jim Chalmers called for a “more stable” relationship ahead of a potential leaders’ meeting at the G20.
The leaders will be circling each other to game out how to manage a relationship that has global implication.
The Chinese president will hold a highly anticipated meeting with US President Joe Biden but is keeping the Australian prime minister guessing.
Seventeen visiting heads of state,20,000 delegates,18,000 soldiers and police,14 warships,plus fighter jets,have transformed the holiday island.
It will be the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies since Biden became president.
There are still plans for the Russian president to be involved in talks on the Indonesian island by video link,as Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky will be.
The discussion paves the way for a meeting between Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese at the G20.