Chinese Ambassador to Australia Zhang Junsai said?in Canberra?Thursday that China and Australia are enjoying "healthy and stable relationship", which is currently " facing a new starting point".

In an interview with Xinhua, Zhang said he was confident that the mutual trust, friendly exchange and down-to-earth cooperation between the two countries would be further enhanced.

"As two important nations in the pacific region, relations between China and Australia is currently facing a new starting point. I believe it will enter a new phase through joint efforts in boosting cooperation," he said.

In recent years, the ambassador said, leaders of the two countries have been keeping regular contacts, which has positively deepened mutual trust.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao met with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in international conferences and exchanged views on bilateral relations, while many Australian federal ministers and local officials also visited China.

"These have jointly made possible a healthy and stable relationship," Zhang said.

Zhang's remarks came as a time of the ongoing official visit by Li Keqiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

Zhang said China always adheres to a long-term and strategic perspective in viewing Sino-Australian relationship.

"Since the diplomatic relation was established 37 years ago, it has been developing in a smooth and rapid way, generating benefits for both countries and peoples," he said. Citing complementary economies and common interests of the two countries, Zhang said he believed there is extensive room for further development of bilateral relations and cooperation in the future.