Political tension has contributed to an 80 percent drop in Chinese tourist visa applications to Australia in the past three months, as bilateral ties hit a low.

Chinese scholars and tourism insiders warned yesterday that Australia will pay for its sour relations with Beijing, triggered by Canberra's decision to grant Rebiya Kadeer, the alleged organizer of the Urumqi riot, a visa in July, despite strong protests from Beijing.

Pang Zhongying, an expert on international relations at the Renmin University of China, said the disputes have affected Australia-bound tourism because well-educated, prosperous Chinese pay the closest attention to such events.