New Chinese ambassador to Australia arrives to take up post

China's new ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian arrived in Canberra on Wednesday and assumed office shortly thereafter.

Upon his arrival at the airport, he expressed willingness to work?with the Australian government and friends in all sectors to jointly push bilateral relations back on the right track in a written statement.

Noting this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xiao said friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation over the past five decades has enhanced?the well-being of peoples of the two countries.

However, he said bilateral relations were "at a critical juncture", facing many?difficulties and challenges as well as enormous opportunities.

China has always held a sound and steady China-Australia relationship?serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and contributes to the prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

As long as both sides adhere to the principles of mutual respect, equality, inclusiveness and mutual learning and firmly grasp?the right direction of development, bilateral relations would have brighter prospects, he said.

Xiao in the written statement said he looked forward to working?with the Australian side to increase engagement and communication, enhance mutual understanding and trust, dispel misunderstanding and suspicion, and promote mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation so as to steer bilateral relations back on the right track.

He also vowed to continue to provide service and support to the overseas Chinese community, Chinese-funded institutions, Chinese students and all Chinese citizens in Australia.

Xiao takes the helm from his predecessor Cheng Jingye and serves as the fifteenth Chinese envoy to Australia. As a senior diplomat with rich working experience, he was China's ambassador to Indonesia before taking his current post.