Shanghai | Anthony Albanese is refusing to buckle to Chinese pressure to back down on his election vow to force the Chinese owners of Darwin Port to sell the key asset, despite a fresh warning Beijing could retaliate by limiting Australia’s lucrative $105 billion iron ore trade.

Speaking ahead of his talks with senior Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, Albanese said his stance on returning the port to Australian ownership was clear, and he was sure China’s leader understood that.