Senior federal government ministers have brushed off a relatively conciliatory message from China's new ambassador to Australia, who has vowed to get the bilateral relationship "back to the right track".

Xiao Qian — who most recently served as China's Ambassador to Indonesia — landed in Sydney earlier this week and issued a public statement saying ties between Canberra and Beijing were at a "critical juncture, facing many difficulties and challenges as well as enormous opportunities and potential". 

"I look forward to working with the Australian government ... to enhance mutual understanding and trust, eliminate misunderstanding and suspicion, promote mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation in all areas between the two sides, and jointly push the China-Australia relations back to the right track," he said.

The new ambassador also hailed the 50th anniversary of the China-Australia relationship, saying "the older generation of Chinese and Australian leaders promoted the establishment of diplomatic relations with the foresight and pioneering spirit of statesmanship".

"Since the door of communication and exchanges was opened, we have witnessed frequent exchanges and fruitful cooperation outcomes in various fields," he said.

While the new ambassador didn't signal any policy changes in his remarks, it still represents a significant shift in tone from China's government. 

Chinese officials in both Beijing and Canberra have continued to berate Australia in recent months and the bilateral relationship remains mired in mutual acrimony and suspicion.

Only last week, the Chinese embassy accused the United Kingdom and Australia of "recycling and making groundless accusations" and "fabricating lies to smear China" after the two countries again criticised Beijing's aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea as well as human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

The usually antagonistic Chinese state-owned newspaper the Global Times also quoted Chinese "analysts" who called the message "a gesture of kindness and goodwill to reset and improve relations which are at their lowest ebb" while also stressing Australia had to "correct" its "wrong China policies".

Defence Minister: China remains 'belligerent'

So far, Morrison government ministers and MPs have responded to the remarks with caution or scepticism. 

Defence Minister Peter Dutton, who has been sharply critical of China's government, said he "hoped" the new ambassador was sincere but it was important to keep international focus on China's "belligerent" approach to other countries and human rights abuses.

"At the moment, China is in conflict not just with us, where they're cutting off markets and the cyber attacks and other activities going on, but [also] with the Philippines, they're at loggerheads with the Indians, with the Vietnamese, with many other countries — and it's a belligerent approach, it's unacceptable," Mr Dutton told radio station 2GB.

"These are the issues the world needs to speak about and if we remain silent and we remain weak, and [to] block our ears and pretend it will go away, the problem will just compound."

Another Morrison government source said that while the more friendly tone was welcome, they were sceptical there would be any significant shift in China's approach towards Australia until after this year's federal election. 

Liberal MP and former Australian diplomat Dave Sharma said the new ambassador's message might signal that Beijing was willing to resume diplomatic dialogue with federal government ministers, but it was important not to "over-interpret the potential for a relationship reset."

"China might be changing its tactics but its ultimate goals and objectives I think have not shifted here," he told Sky News.

In a brief statement, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Marise Payne said: "The Australian Government welcomes the new Chinese Ambassador-designate to Australia and looks forward to engaging with him."

Lowy Institute analyst Natasha Kassam said the new ambassador "appears to be taking a cautious approach and testing the waters as he arrives in Canberra".

"Knowing that Australia is edging towards an election campaign, and Australian public views of China are at historic lows, the relationship may be in holding pattern for now," she said.

"The early response from the defence minister would indicate no thaw is coming in the frosty relationship."