A war of words over allegations of Chinese Communist Party interference in Australia sparked a five-month diplomatic freeze, with Beijing declining to approve invitations for Australian ministers to visit China.

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No Australian minister attended last month's Boao Forum, traditionally a high-profile event for Australian politicians because it was co-founded by former prime minister Bob Hawke.

Australia Week in China, which saw 1000 Australian companies exhibit when it was last held in 2016, was also shelved, even though Austrade earlier told parliament it planned to host the event in Shanghai in the first half of 2018.

Events in Shanghai this week, with Mr Ciobo present, are being seen as a defacto Australia Week gathering.

Around 60 Australian exporters, including meat and organic producers, will exhibit at the SIAL China exhibition – alongside international competitors.

The US ambassador to China, Terry Branstad, said on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump wanted a “dramatic increase” in US food exports to China, and also increased LNG exports, amid tough trade negotiations between China and the US.

Both are key Australian exports to China, with Australia enjoying preferential, low-tariff access for many agricultural products.

Asked if US food exporters could become competitors to Australia, Mr Ciobo said Australian food was already competing with European products in Chinese supermarkets.

“On any frank assessment of Australia’s trade relationship with China it is clear we can’t meet demand from China," he said.

"Traditionally strong markets for the US such as Latin America are markets I am targeting for Australia. This is the competitive tempo of global trade ... we need to deal with things as they are."

Mr Ciobo said he hopes the US and China are able to reach agreement on their trade differences, adding that “Australia seeks to be a positive participant in global discussions on trade”.

The Shanghai visit will also prepare for Australia to participate in one of China's key foreign policy events later this year. The China International Import Expo, to be held in November in Shanghai, is designed to showcase how China is opening its markets to foreign companies amid expectations it will import goods and services worth more than $US10 trillion annually by 2023.

Mr Ciobo said Australia was the first country invited to the November expo.

He has asked for a high-level meeting with Chinese government representatives this week, although this was yet to be confirmed because of the distance from the political capital Beijing.

The Port Adelaide and Gold Coast points match on Saturday is a business networking event for Chinese companies who sponsor the AFL clubs in Australia.