Sydney  - The Australian government is keen to avoid a clash with top trade partner China over the visit next week to Melbourne of the Uighur leader accused by Beijing of fomenting violence in its far-west Xinjiang province.

Officials refused comment Thursday on reports that China had made a formal diplomatic complaint about the proposed visit of US-based activist Rebiya Kadeer.

The head of the World Uighur Congress is expected at a Melbourne film festival to attend the premiere of an Australian-made documentary about her life, 10 Conditions of Love.

The 62-year-old is also scheduled to make a televised address to the National Press Club in Canberra.

Officials refused to confirm that Kadeer, currently in Japan, has been granted a visa to enter Australia.

China has accused Kadeer of fomenting this month's violence between Muslim Uighurs and Han Chinese that has left nearly 200 people dead.

Kadeer, who denies the allegation, is on a tour drumming up support for a proposed United Nations inquiry into the violence. Canberra is showing no support for her call and has been anxious to stress that her visit is not at the invitation of the Australian government.

Chinese film directors have withdrawn their works from the Melbourne festival to protest the screening of the Kadeer documentary. Festival head Richard Moore said that the festival's website had been attacked by hackers opposed to her visit.

Moore has been warned by Beijing of unspecified repercussions of showing the Kadeer film but is insistent that screenings should go ahead as planned. (dpa)