CCTV International of China Central Television started screening The Story of Australia - the first documentary television series co-produced between Australia and China - on August 30.

Starting in January 2012, the crew of The Story of Australia spent a full year to travel around Australia, focusing on varied aspects of “a land like no other” - including Australia’s flora and fauna, arts and culture, industry and innovation, indigenous culture and heritage, education, agriculture and geographic diversity.

The series also covers the role of Chinese Australians have had in the development of Australian society, its culture, its economy as well as its politics.

 The documentary is for the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Australia.

“In a year when Australia-China relations have been lifted to a new level, it is fitting that Chinese viewers will see a high-quality documentary like this, that shows the beauty of Australia’s natural landscapes and the diversity and openness of our people and society,”  HE Ms Frances Adamson, Australian Ambassador to China said in the television series' launching ceremony on August 29.

“The launch of this documentary series is a historic occasion. With several other film and television co-productions now in the pipeline, I am confident that The Story of Australia represents a further important step in the ongoing collaboration between the Australian and Chinese film and television industries,” she added.

It screened on CCTV International at 8:00-9:00pm on Friday August 30, Saturday August 31, and Sunday September 1.

The Australian Embassy in Beijing said on its official website it will continue to support the rapid growth in the film industry cooperation between the two countries. The Embassy hosted the annual Australia-China Film Industry Forum (ACFIF) in Shanghai in June 2013. In addition, a large delegation of Australia documentary producers will visit China later in 2013 to further boost the bilateral relations.