Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Australia, the Chinese press service Xinhua News Agency's Sydney Bureau on Monday released a special photographic book providing a snapshot into more than 60 years of Australia-China relations.

The picture book, titled National Memories: Where China- Australia Story Began, will be carried by a number of Chinese airlines, which fly between the two nations, for the benefit of their passengers.

The book's launch also comes at a time when Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is on his Beijing tour for the 22nd Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Xi will visit Australia next week for the G20 Leaders Summit.

The book features photographs, which were on display at an exhibition in Sydney in September, and showcase the cultural, political, artistic, scientific, sporting and educational journey the countries have shared since the 1950s.

The photographic journey begins with visits from a variety of Australian delegations to China captured in the early 1950s, through to 1973 with the seminal visit to China by then Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, the first by an Australian prime minister.

China's Ambassador to Australia Ma Zhaoxu said the Xinhua Gallery photos are strong evidence to prove that even though the countries have different cultures and traditions, they can achieve improvements and flourish by communication, trading and interactions.

"China-Australia tie has established mutual trust and mutual beneficial strategic partnership. This year, the relationship between China and Australia has improved positively. Under the efforts of both governments and their citizens, China-Australia cooperation will have a bright future ahead," he said. Endi

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