China's top environmental research institution has created a new platform for close cooperation with an Australian university to explore efficient methods for curbing air pollution.

The Australia-China Center for Air Quality Science and Management was launched on Friday, marking the official start of the two countries' work by top institutions to improve air quality. It represents a new frontier in scientific cooperation, said Zhang Lei, deputy director of Ministry of Environmental Protection's international cooperation bureau.

"Air pollution is a global issue that requires joint cooperation," Zhang said.