Australia sets up foundation to improve China ties

The Australian government on Friday announced the establishment of a national foundation to boost relations with China and appointed a top China specialist as the new ambassador to Beijing.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the new and innovative National Foundation for Australia-China Relations aims to "strengthen one of Australia's most significant bilateral relationships".

It will harness efforts of the private sector, NGOs, cultural organizations, state and federal agencies and the Chinese-Australian community to accelerate efforts to engage China, Australia's foreign ministry said in a statement.