China's new ambassador says Beijing is willing to go "halfway" in establishing better ties with Australia.
Xiao Qian, who took up his post a month ago, said his appointment was a "symbol" from the Chinese government that it wants to open communication channels with the federal government.
"This relationship is very important and this is good for both sides, and now we're in a difficult situation," Mr Xiao said.
"But from the Chinese side, we're ready to work together with our Australian counterparts to move towards the same direction [with] joint efforts, so we can move this relationship back on the right track, back to the right direction."
Mr Xiao was speaking after a ceremony at the Chinese embassy to honour NSW senior constable Kelly Foster, who died in January last year attempting to rescue a Chinese student, Jennifer Qi, when they were both part of a canyoning tour group in the Blue Mountains.
Both women died in the incident.
Senior constable Foster's parents, Terry and Marilyn Foster, were presented with the Great Wall Commemorative Medal in recognition of their daughter's courage.
The presentation ceremony was the first public event held at the Chinese embassy since the start of the COVID pandemic.
Mr Xiao said it was not about politics.
"Today's event is more of a humanitarian event, it's not about politics, not about diplomacy.
"It's about people to people friendship, humanitarian spirit, about our admiration for Kelly Foster and our respect for the Australian police, their dedication and professionalism."
'The diplomatic channel is open': ambassador
Relations between China and Australia have been strained ever since Chinese company Huawei was excluded from Australia's 5G network.
Beijing has blamed the Morrison government for antagonistic reports in the media and has slapped tariffs or export bans on Australian barley, beef, wine and live rock lobster.
The Chinese embassy handed a dossier of 14 grievances to Australian media in 2020, including Australia's demands for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19, Australia's "spearheading a crusade" on China's affairs in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang, banning Huawei from the 5G network and blocking 10 Chinese foreign investment deals across infrastructure, agriculture and animal husbandry sectors.
There have been no high-level diplomatic exchanges between China and Australia for quite some time.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week claimed that Beijing's preferred candidate at the next election is Labor leader Anthony Albanese.
Asked by the ABC if it concerned him that the two nations did not currently have diplomatic channels at the moment, Mr Xiao said "the diplomatic channel is open".
"It was open, it is open today and I think it'll remain open. Being the ambassador newly appointed is a symbol from the Chinese side that I'm here to communicate with our Australian counterparts [but] the channel is open.
"And I would rather prefer to continue to communicate with our Australian government officials through diplomatic channels. There are many things we have in mind, there are many things we can discuss.
"And we've just sort of just started engagement myself with various sectors of the Australian government. I'm looking forward to future opportunities."
