Xi Jinping was a picture of calm as Anthony Albanese approached for his handshake, the Australian prime minister grinning broadly. The Chinese president beamed as he clasped Albanese’s hand and posed for the cameras on Tuesday.

The formal meeting in Beijing’s Great Hall was followed by a more intimate banquet between the leaders, which was interpreted as a sign of warmth from the Chinese side that went further than the reception given to some visiting leaders.

China Daily, a state media outlet, trumpeted the unusual length of Albanese’s visit (six days) and claimed the prime minister’s office saw the trip as a “friendly gesture” made “against the backdrop of rising tensions between the United States and many countries”.

But two awkward moments involving Australian journalists travelling with the prime minister acted as a counterweight to the stage-managed moments of warmth and words of co-operation that the leaders exchanged.

Earlier in the day, TV journalists at the Drum Tower in Beijing were temporarily stopped from getting back on their bus by local security officials who did not believe they had permission to film in the area.

Hours later, two Australian press photographers, including one from this masthead, were blocked from entering the room to capture Albanese’s handshake with Xi. Only Albanese’s personal photography team was allowed in, along with Chinese media.

The drama over photographers might seem innocuous, but it points to a deeper issue: just how far Australia can push the stabilisation of its relationship with China.

Albanese’s enterprising work in pushing green steel during this visit could help secure Australia’s $100 billion annual iron ore trade as the world looks to decarbonise its industries. A series of high-level business meetings could also aid trade between the two countries.