Albanese to cap China trip with panda diplomacy

Pandas and bionic ears are on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s agenda as his six-day tour of China reaches its final leg. Mr Albanese touched down in Chengdu, in China’s southwest on Wednesday afternoon, where he announced the Sichuan capital would be given hosting rights to an Australian Open wildcard play-off tournament for a second year running. In the sweltering 37C heat, the prime minister turned down the offer of a hit on centre court, instead hailing the role of sport in boosting people-to-people and cultural links between Australia and China. “I know that my dear friend (former professional tennis player)…