The opposition’s dismissal of Anthony Albanese’s trip to China as a “working holiday” has been rejected by the government and business, while alarming some Liberals who fear the party has failed to learn from the past two elections, when it was roundly rejected by Chinese-Australian voters.

As the prime minister flew home on Friday following a six-day visit which covered three cities, the opposition stepped up its criticism of him for spending so long in China, especially his visit to the Great Wall and a panda sanctuary.