Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will pay an official visit to China from November 4 to 7 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday.

This is Albanese's first visit to China since his inauguration and the first visit by an Australian prime minister since 2016.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam's visit to China.

Albanese's upcoming visit is of great significance in carrying forward the past and opening up the future, Wang said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

He noted that the Chinese leaders will hold talks with Albanese and have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

China and Australia are comprehensive strategic partners with extensive common interests and broad prospects for cooperation, Wang said  adding a healthy and stable China-Australia relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to regional and world peace and stability.

China is willing to work with Australia to take this visit as an opportunity to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation, deepen friendship and promote the continued improvement and development of relations between the two countries in the spirit of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences and mutual benefit, said the spokesperson.

(Cover: A view of Chinese Foreign Ministry. /CFP)