Chinese Premier Li Qiang is poised to raise Labor’s crackdown on foreign students in high-level talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese next month, adding a wildcard for the government’s efforts to stabilise relations with Beijing.

As almost two dozen Chinese university chiefs arrive in Australia this week in a precursor to Mr Li’s visit, business leaders also tip the premier will press Mr Albanese over the impact of Canberra’s overhauled foreign investment regime on Chinese applications.