Whitlam

At the Temple of Heaven, Albanese posed for a photograph at the circular Echo Wall, the same spot where Australia's then prime minister, Gough Whitlam, stood in 1973, a year after the two countries established ties.

It also coincides with the 50-year anniversary of Gough Whitlam's iconic visit to China to visit Mao Zedong in 1973, marking the first trip by an Australian prime minister after the establishment of diplomatic ties.

China has lauded the visit's timing, on the 50th anniversary of the first to China by an Australian leader, then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

Mr Albanese's visit marks 50 years since former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam travelled to Beijing, following the establishment of diplomatic ties.

From its inception the relationship has been based, as Mr Whitlam put it, on "mutual benefit".