A British hot-air balloon team says it's hopeful that discussions with the Chinese authorities about a planned overflight can be resolved soon so that its bid to fly non-stop round the world can start.

The pilot of the Cable and Wireless team, Colin Prescott, said the team had offered a range of flight plan proposals, and was prepared to send a delegation to China if that would help.

An Australian-American team is due to launch its first attempt at the round-the-world record from the Australian town of Alice Springs later today.