Australian and Chinese leaders meet in Beijing

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with President Xi Jinping. Pic/AP

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday on the first visit by an Australian leader to China in seven years as the two countries try to mend their tattered ties.

The talks were expected to focus on trade as China has eased some but not all of the restrictive steps it took as relations deteriorated.

Albanese struck an optimistic tone ahead of his meeting, calling for cooperation while emphasizing that the two countries will continue to have differences.

China and Australia's relations have nosedived in recent years.

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