Shanghai | Australia's new top diplomat in Hong Kong has been unable to take up her post for more than a month because of delays getting her visa approved by the local authorities, in a setback believed to be linked to political tensions between Australia and China.

Elizabeth Ward, one of Australia's top trade negotiators, was appointed Australia's new Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macau earlier this year, but her new role has not yet been formally announced. She replaces Michaela Browning, who returned to Australia on February 25.

After six months of violent protests last year, Hong Kong is now dealing with the pandemic. AP

While Ms Ward has been meeting members of the Australian business community with links to Hong Kong since the start of the year, sources confirmed she had not yet been able to take up her new post, which needs the blessing of the Hong Kong authorities.

There has been no official explanation for the delay. However, sources have linked the move to China's anger over Scott Morrison's ban on Chinese citizens, including thousands of students, from entering Australia from February 1 as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak. China has since banned all foreigners entering the country.

While Hong Kong is supposed to remain independent from China until 2047, the local government is answerable to Beijing, particularly on sensitive political or diplomatic issues. When China expelled US journalists from the country earlier this month, it also included those working in Hong Kong.