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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is on a weeklong visit to China from July 12 to 18, choosing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping before holding talks with US President Donald Trump following his re-election.

This marks Albanese’s second visit to China as prime minister, reflecting improving ties after years of strain. He will also meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, with talks focusing on trade, tourism, and artificial intelligence, according to Firstpost.

The decision to prioritize Beijing over Washington has drawn criticism from Australian opposition leader Angus Taylor, who questioned the government’s diplomatic focus. Albanese is not expected to meet Trump until later this year at the Quad summit or UN General Assembly.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speaking at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, warned of China’s growing military buildup while affirming Australia’s close alignment with the US on Indo-Pacific security.

The visit comes amid a US review of the Aukus submarine deal and growing global uncertainty over Trump’s tariff policies. Despite tensions, China remains Australia’s top trading partner, Firstpost reported.

US President Donald Trump will make a state visit to the UK from 17–19 September at the invitation of King Charles III. The visit, hosted at Windsor Castle due to renovations at Buckingham Palace, marks a rare second state visit for a US president, according to BBC.

Trump will be accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and receive a full ceremonial welcome and state banquet, with senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, expected to attend.

The invitation, delivered by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in February, comes amid efforts to strengthen US-UK ties on trade and Ukraine. Public events will be limited due to security, and the House of Commons will be in recess during the visit, BBC reported.

Trump is also expected in Scotland later this month for the opening of a new golf course in Aberdeenshire, though no meeting with the King is planned ahead of the state visit.

Rio de Janeiro has officially proposed to become the permanent home of the BRICS economic bloc, which currently lacks a formal headquarters, according to Firstpost.

Following the 2025 BRICS summit held at the city’s Museum of Modern Art, Mayor Eduardo Paes sent a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, expressing the city’s interest.

Formed in 2009, BRICS now includes 11 countries, representing 46 percent of the global population and 37 percent of world GDP. Rio’s bid aims to provide the group with a fixed base and stronger institutional structure, Firstpost reported.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is visiting China for six days, covering Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, to strengthen ties with Australia’s largest trading partner. He will meet President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and top legislator Zhao Leji, with trade and regional security high on the agenda, according to BBC.

Albanese said his government will “cooperate where we can, disagree where we must,” and act in Australia’s national interest. The trip follows his re-election and aims to reinforce economic ties—China accounts for nearly a third of Australia’s trade.

The visit includes top Australian business leaders and signals a stabilisation in relations after years of tensions and trade sanctions. Cooperation on green energy, while maintaining Australia’s commitment to Aukus despite Chinese criticism, will also be discussed.

Analysts say both countries are targeting stable connections rather than geopolitical alignment, with mature diplomacy permitting involvement in commerce, education, and culture—despite continued disagreements over China's military growth and the arrest of Australian writer Yang Hengjun, BBC reported.