China's leadership has been so incensed by the Turnbull government's rhetoric about China that it is regularly refusing visas to ministers and the major Australian annual showcase of trade and business in China looks certain to be abandoned this year.

This is part of a deep chill in the official government-to-government relationship with Australia's major trading partner – most apparent since Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull targeted foreign influence in Australian politics with legislation, accompanied by considerable anti-China rhetoric, at the end of last year.