A DIPLOMATIC row between Australia and China over the planned visit of exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer has escalated, with Australias ambassador called to a dressing-down by Chinas Foreign Ministry.

As Chinese hackers again attacked the website of the Melbourne International Film Festival, which Ms Kadeer is scheduled to attend this week, ambassador Geoff Raby was told of Chinas strong dissatisfaction and opposition to the visit.

Film festival patrons queue for tickets at the Greater Union cinemas in Melbourne after a second cyber-attack shut down online ticket sales. Credit:Gary Medicott

Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun told Mr Raby that Australia must immediately correct its wrongdoings and cancel Ms Kadeers visa, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The demand came as the second cyber-attack in a week shut down online ticket sales for the festival, causing chaos as patrons were forced to queue outside venues to pick up tickets booked over the phone.