STATV. MENT THE FRI! W E MINIST7fl" & i MINISTER FO1-FOY' IGN AFFAIRS,
NR WijITEA;:, P, ON iiI ' TtiiN iROiv1 CH INA AI. D JAPAN
NOVEMBER 1973
Within the next fdw days I shall be reporting to the
Australian Parliamnent on the results of my visit to China and
Japan. I believe this visit, in the company of several of my
ministerial colleagues, was the most successful and produlctive
overseas mission ever undertaken by an hustralian Government
delegation. We have forged new understandings with two of our
greatest neighbours with Japan, our most important trading
partner, and with China, the most populous nation int the world.
With both countries we have redefined our relationship
to the benefit of both sides and set new perspectives that will
endure for years to come.
Our basic task in Japan was not an easy one. Essentially
it was to explain to the Japanese Government that in the
development of our minerals and energy resources Australia in
future will be the master in her own house. We will not allow
the present proportion of foreign ownership and control of these
resources to increas,-e.
In Tokyo we made this position quite clear. The
Japanese understood it. They accepted it. At the sane time
we reassured Japan that Australia would never deny Japan access
to the raw materials she n~ eds. We will remain a dependable
supplier. That position, too, was understood and welcomed.
I did not go to Japan to carp or complain, as the
Leader 3f. tLh-e Oppositiondid, about Japan's defence spending,
or internal policies. I did not go, as Mr Snedden did, to
incite Japan to a resurgence of militarism. I went to seek new
friendship and understanding.
The fruits of that understanding will be embodied ina
a lasting treaty of friendship and cooperation between the two
countries. For years the Japanese Government sought such a
treaty with Australia. The previous Australian Government
refused to conclu, 4e such a treaty. We have now cleared the way
for negotiations on the Treaty of Nara to begin without delay.
As an example of the kind of cooperation that will flow
from our better relationship, Senator Wriedt obtained most
encouraging indications of Japan's willingness to make long-term
arrangements for the pur'chase of our primary products, especially
wool. I am confident that such arrangements will bring benefits
to both countries.
My visit to China was the first ever mde by an Australian
Prime Minister. It brought great practical benefitsto Australia
as well. as gre at personal satisfaction to me.
It markedt,-e end of a generation of neurotic fears and
lost opportunities. Australia hasR now established a firm and
cordial friendship witha government representing a quarter of
the earth's population. That friendship, I believe, will be
lasting and fruitful.
As a result of my extraordinarily long and thorough 4
discu.; sions with Premier Chou En-lai, Chairman Mao Tse-tung
and o; hei Chinese leaders, the Australian Government now nas
a niuch better knowledge of Chinese attitudes to a whole range
of worldproblems. Such knowledge is essential to the conduct
of a mature, confident and constructive Australian foreign
policy. We are no longer working in the dark. China knows what
we think. We know what China thinks. On many issues such as
nuclear te. ts, the Middle East, Bangladesh and Korea-we frankly
acknowledged andfully explainedour differences.
On many practical issues we madegreat progress.
DrPattersonsecured Chinese agreement to important long-term
contracts for the sale of sugar to China. This arrangement may
well prove to be the biggest commodity deal Australia has made
with anotner country. It followsthe highly valuable wheat
contract with China concluded recently by Dr Cairns.
I believe we are now entering a more enlightened and
productive era in our relations with China. I believe the
great foundations of friendship andcooperation we have laid on
tni: vLsit will stand for y. ars to come.