Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet one of the world's most powerful men as simmering political tensions undermine efforts to increase trade with China.

The largest-ever warfighting drills in Australia, Exercise Talisman Sabre, are underway and are expected to attract the attention of Chinese spy ships.

Taking part in the three weeks of war games, which began on Sunday, are forces from 19 nations: Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New ...