China's Liu Jinsong starts Australia ambassador post

Chinese ambassador Liu Jinsong has begun his posting in Australia, saying he travelled by public bus from Sydney to Canberra and spoke with Australians on the journey.

Liu arrived in Australia on Monday and said in a statement on the Chinese embassy website that he felt honoured and aware of the responsibility of the role.

He replaces Xiao Qian, who often drew headlines in Australia for his defence of Beijing's positions.

Relations between Beijing and Canberra fell to a low point under former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, when China imposed import bans and restrictions on Australian commodities including coal, barley and wine.

Ties have improved under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has visited Beijing twice since taking office in 2022, but tensions remain. Last month, Australia condemned China's test of a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific as "destabilising".

China remains Australia's biggest iron ore customer, while Canberra has increased scrutiny of Chinese investment in rare earths.

Liu said the two countries should respect each other's core interests and major concerns. He previously headed China's foreign ministry Department of Asian Affairs.