Diplomatic Relations

The Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between Australia and China in 1972

THE HON. EDWARD GOUGH WHITLAM AC, QC

Chairman Mao Zedong meeting with the Hon. Gough Whitlam QC, Prime Minister of Australia during the historic Prime Ministerial visit to the People’s Republic of China, 31 October – 4 November 1973. Photo courtesy the Hon Tom Burns AO, Chair of the Queensland China Council, personal collection.

Speech at the 30th Anniversary Sino-Australia Relations Queensland Government Function in Beijing on 29 July 2002 (Excerpt)

On 5 December 1972, the day that the first Whitlam Government was installed, I announced that I had instructed our Ambassador in Paris, Alan Renouf, to open negotiations with his Chinese counterpart. On 21 December the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to France, Huang Chen, and Ambassador Renouf signed a joint communiqué stating:

The two Governments agree to develop diplomatic relations, friendship and co-operation between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonaggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.

The Australian Government recognises the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China, acknowledges the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China, and has decided to remove its official representation from Taiwan before 25 January 1973. The Government of the People’s Republic of China appreciates the above stand of the Australian Government.

I give the details of the Paris Agreement for three reasons. First, it provided the guidelines on which the relations between China and Australia have flourished under successive Australian Governments. Secondly, the Agreement expressed the fundamental condition of China’s diplomatic relations, not only with Australia but with all countries, including Britain and the United States: acceptance of ‘One China’. Thirdly, Australia has entered a solemn agreement setting out mutual rights and obligations. And from this last and most important point, I draw a general principle: that the only proper way for any nation, however powerful, to conduct relations with China is to make firm agreements and honour them.

From library.uws.edu.au/whitlam/index.htm

中华人民共和国和澳大利 亚政府关于中、澳两国建 立外交关系的联合公报

中华人民共和国政府和澳大利亚政府根据两国 人民的共同利益和共同愿望,决定自一九七二 年十二月二十一日起互相承认并建立外交关系。

两国政府同意,在互相尊重主权和领土完整、 互不侵犯、互不干涉内政、平等互利和和平共 处的原则的基础上,发展两国之间的外交、友 好和合作关系。

澳大利亚政府承认中华人民共和国政府是中国 的唯一合法政府,承认中国政府关于台湾是中 华人民共和国的一个省的立场,并决定于一九 七三年一月二十五日前从台湾撤走其官方代表 机构。 中华人民共和国政府对澳大利亚政府的 上述立场表示欣赏。

两国政府商定,一俟行政手续和实际安排就绪, 双方即互派大使,并在平等互利的基础上,根 据国际法和国际惯例,在各自首都为对方的建 馆及其执行任务提供一切必要的协助。

Source: www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/pds/gjhdq/gj/dyz/1206/1207/t4906.htm

Joint Communiqué of The Government of The People’s Republic of China and The Australian Government

The Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Australian Government, in conformity with the interests and common desire of the two peoples, have decided upon mutual recognition and the establishment of diplomatic relations as from December 21, 1972.

The two Governments agree to develop their diplomatic relations, friendship and co-operation between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

The Australian Government recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China, acknowledges the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China, and has decided to remove its official representation from Taiwan before January 25, 1973. The Government of the People’s Republic of China appreciates the above stand of the Australian Government.

The two Governments have agreed to exchange Ambassadors as soon as the administrative formalities and practical arrangements have been completed, and to provide each other with all the necessary assistance for the establishment and performance of the functions of diplomatic missions in their respective capitals on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and in accordance with international law and practice.

Source: www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjdt/2649/t15806.htm