Whitlam & the People's Republic of China: The Historic Legacy

Chinese Leaders and Prime Minister Whitlam, Capital Airport, October 31, 1973

Prime Minister Whitlam was the Australian leader responsible for establishing diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China on 21 December, 1972. Prior to this, Mr. Whitlam was the first Federal Parliamentarian to avocate recognition of the People's Republic of China on 12 August, 1954.

Mr. Whitlam lead an Australian Labor Party delegation to the Peoples Republic of China in July 1971, as leader of the Federal Opposition, and one of the first acts of the Whitlam Government, on 21 December 1972, was the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China. This was followed by an historic Prime Ministerial visit to the People's Republic of China from 31 October to 4 November, 1973. Thanks to the Hon. Tom Burns, who accompanied Mr. Whitlam in 1971 and 1973, we add this month, a stunning series of photographs from the 1973 Prime Ministerial visit to our e-collection. Below are links to a series of historic documents; the photographs donated to us electronically from Tom Burns' private collection; and Mr. Whitlam's speeches to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and the People's Republic of China in recent months.

The Joint Communique

Joint Communique establishing diplomatic relations between Australia and the People's Republic of China.

Images of the 1973 Prime Ministerial Visit to the People's Republic of China

Prime Minister Whitlam and Chairman Mao Tse-Tung during the historic visit to the People's Republic of China, 31 October - 4 November, 1973.

Premier Zhou Enlai welcoming the Hon. Tom Burns, Capital airport, People's Republic of China, 31 October, 1973.

People's Republic of China leaders & Prime Minister Whitlam exchanging greetings, Capital Airport, 31 October, 1973.

Prime Minister Whitlam with Premier Zhou Enlai Capital Airport, 31 October, 1973.

The People's welcome to the Australian Prime Minister, Capital Airport, 31 October, 1973.

Prime Minister Whitlam's motorcade passing Tiananmen Square, Prime Ministerial visit, 31 October - 4 November, 1973.

State reception hosted by Premier Zhou Enlai for Prime Minister Whitlam, Great Hall of People, Prime Ministerial Visit, 31 October - 4 November, 1973.

State Banquet in honor of Prime Minister Whitlam, Great Hall of People, Prime Ministerial Visit, 31 October - 4 November, 1973.

Premier Zhou Enlai and Prime Minister Whitlam at the banquet, Great Hall of People, Prime Ministerial Visit, 31 October - November 4, 1973.

Premier Zhou Enlai listening to speech by Prime Minister Whitlam, Prime Ministerial Visit, 31 October - November 4, 1973

Prime Minister Whitlam istening to speech by Premier Zhou Enlai, Prime Ministerial visit, 31 October - 4 November, 1973

Prime Minister Whitlam in group photo taken after a performance, Prime Ministerial visit, 31 October - 4 November, 1973

Prime Minister Whitlam and former Deputy Premier Deng Xiaoping visiting Summer Palace, Prime Ministerial visit, 31 October - 4 November, 1973

Prime Minister Whitlam and Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia Prince Sihanouk was residing in Beijing during the Prime Ministerial visit to China 31 October - 4 November 1973.

Prime Minister Whitlam, Mrs. Whitlam, Stephen Fitzgerald, Minister Rex Patterson and Deng Xaioping at the Forbidden City during the Prime Ministerial visit to China 31 October - 4 November, 1973.

Historical Speeches by Mr. Whitlam on China

Address to the Australia-China Business Co-operation Committee by Hon E.G. Whitlam AC, QC, Sydney 17 February 1987

China and Australia 1949-1972-1997 speech, by Hon E.G. Whitlam AC, QC, 11 December 1997

Speech at the premiere of "Nixon in China" by Hon E.G. Whitlam, AC, QC, August 1999.

Contemporary speeches in the 30th anniversary year of diplomatic relations between Australian and China by Mr. Whitlam

Speech to commemorate the 15th annivesary of the Australian Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong by Hon E.G. Whitlam AC,QC, 26 July 2002, Hong Kong

Speech to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sino-Australian Relations by Hon E.G. Whitlam AC, QC, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 29 July 2002

The Australia-China Oration by Hon E.G. Whitlam AC, QC, St Regis Hotel, Beijing, People's Republic of China, Tuesday 30 July 2002

Speech at the China/Australia Chamber of Commerce, hosted by the Australian Consulate-General by Hon E.G. Whitlam AC, QC, 2 August 2002, Shanghai, People's Republic of China