Albanese visited the Temple of Heaven, accompanied by Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian and Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian. Albanese particularly took photos near the fence where former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who was the first to visit China, took a photo 50 years ago, indicating that this visit marks a new high in relations between Australia and China after years of tension.
Beijing is Canberra's largest trading partner, but after the former Australian government banned Chinese technology giant Huawei from participating in the construction of the country's next-generation 5G mobile network and demanded an investigation into the origin of Covid-19, China imposed a series of punitive tariffs on Australia's coal, barley, and wine, causing a sharp decline in bilateral relations in 2020.
Since Albanese took office in May last year, both Australia and China have been seeking readjustment, and Beijing has also lifted most restrictions on Australian goods and promised to accelerate the review of wine tariff measures. Albanese uses one word to describe Australia China relations: 'important'.
Although the relationship between the two countries has warmed up, Albanese clearly stated that the two countries' strategies are not consistent and acknowledged the need to remain "clear" about the existing differences between the two countries.
Albanese has repeatedly emphasized that the principle of the Australian government's relationship with China is to "cooperate where possible and maintain differences where necessary".
This visit follows Albanese 'visit to the United States, as the Australian government seeks to establish more friendly relations with its largest trading partner while also seeking to curb Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific region.
For example, the Australian-U.S. tripartite security partnership "AUKUS" formed by Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom is widely believed to be aimed at resisting China's expanding military power in the Indo Pacific region. Beijing is angry about this and condemns its plan to purchase nuclear powered submarines.
Albanese stated that Australia is committed to implementing the AUKUS agreement, which is in Australia's national interest and an important way to promote regional security, peace, and stability.
The differences between the two sides also include the Taiwan Strait issue, the South China Sea situation, and human rights cases.  
Albanese said at a press conference before his visit that Yang Hengjun's case "needs to be resolved", and he will discuss Yang Hengjun's human rights, detention nature, and lack of transparent procedures.
Yang Hengjun was charged with espionage by China in 2019 and is still in prison. Yang Hengjun's son requested Albanese to express concern to the Chinese side and achieve a "miracle" for their father.
Analysts say that Beijing will use this week's high-level meeting to shape itself as a "kind and kind partner, welcoming a wayward friend back".
Courtney J. Fung, a resident scholar at the Australian branch of the Asian Association, told AFP: "China does not want to get entangled in criticism of its economic coercion or hostage diplomacy
Sun Yun, a researcher at the Washington based Stimson Center, said that Beijing will be enthusiastic about portraying this visit as "Australia acknowledging its previous mistakes and making the right choices," which will become a "narrative for China.
(This article refers to a report by Agence France Presse)