Australian federal government on Sunday announced career diplomat Frances Adamson as the new ambassador to China.

According to Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, Adamson has been appointed to what is one of Australia's most important diplomatic positions, and she is expected to begin her posting later in August.

Adamson will replace Geoff Raby, who has been ambassador since early 2007.

Adamson, who speaks Mandarin, is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has has previously served in China's Hong Kong, China's Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

Between January 2009 and December 2010, she was chief of staff to Stephen Smith, both as minister for foreign affairs and minister for defense.

Rudd said Australia's relationship with China is "comprehensive and constructive".

"The bilateral relationship draws strength from high-level visits in both directions underpinned by military-to-military, regional security, human rights, trade and economics, consular and foreign policy dialogues and close engagement in multilateral fora, " he said in a statement released on Sunday.

He added that China is now Australia's largest trading partner, with annual two-way trade totalling close to 89.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2009-10.

Adamson holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide in Australia. She is married with four children.

The government is expected to announce Australia's next ambassador to Japan, to replace the long-serving Murray McLean, in the coming months.

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