HE Ms Frances Adamson
 Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China

Ms Adamson arrived in Beijing on 8 August 2011, and presented her Credentials to the President of the People’s Republic of China, HE Mr Hu Jintao, on 16 August 2011.

Ms Adamson was most recently Chief of Staff, Office of the Minister for Defence. In 2009-2010, she also served as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. She has held a number of senior positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including Assistant Secretary, Executive, Planning and Evaluation Branch from 1998-2000.

Between 2001 and 2005, Ms Adamson was seconded as Representative to the Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei. She has twice served in the Australian High Commission in London, including as Deputy High Commissioner from 2005-2008 and as Political Counsellor between 1993 and 1998. During the period 1987 to 1990 she served in Hong Kong, including as First Secretary.

Ms Adamson was born in Adelaide, Australia. Before joining the Commonwealth Public Service in 1985, she studied a Bachelor of Economics degree at the University of Adelaide.

She is married with four children and speaks Mandarin.