PM Transcripts

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AS 19R197OA1P R 1967 4
ASIAN TOUR 1967 L iB R
TAIWAN
ARRIVAL STATE1ffENT BY THE PRIMfE MINISTER,
MR. HAROLD HOLT AT TAIPEI 4TH APRIL, 1967
It. gives me great pleasure to make my first visit to the
Republic of China, and to be the first Prime viinister of Australia
to have made such a visit in that capacity.
I greatly look forvard to meeting the distinguished
President of the Republic, and to having the opportunity of
discussing with him the many matters in which we have a common
interest. These include importantly the menace of communist
expansion in the Asian and Pacific region, a threat of which
the Republic oi China has a long and intimate knowledge.
Relations between the Republic of China and Australia
have long been warm and friendly. Australia has consistently
supported the position of the Republic of Chi. na in the United
Nations and its agencies. The Chinese Embassy is one of the
oldest diplomatic missions in Canberra, and Australia has recently
re-established its own embassy with the Republic of China. Trade
between our two countries has increased substantially over recent
years. In addition to establishing personal contact with the
President, his Ministers and other leading personalities, I hope
during my visit to see something of Taiwan's impressive economic
progress, about which we have had enthusiastic reports. I am
particularly looking forward to visiting some of your modern
industrial plants and port installations.
We in Australia share goals of peace, stability and
prosperity so widely held in Asia. We believe the Republic of
China, with its growing economic strength and the resourcefulness
of its people, can play a highly significant part in the combined
e forts of all like-minded countries to satisfy these longings.
We recognise that the Republic of China is Alre ady making a
considerable contribution in thc form of its economic and technical
aid to other countries. We likewise have been increasing the
volume and variety of our economic aid.
We are glad, also, to find ourselves fellovi-members with
China of two new Asian organisations, the Asian and Pacific Council
and the Asian Development Bank. Vie confidently anticipate further
profitable co-operation between our two countries in both of them.
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