PRIME MINISTER
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA AT THE BANQUET IN HIS
HONOUR GIVEN BY PREMIER HUA KUO-FENG 20TH JUNE 1976
Premier Hua Kuo-Feng, distinguished Chinese friends, Excellencies,
ladies and gentlemen. I want to express my appreciation for the
warmth of the welcome provided to us this afternoon, and to
all those members of the Diplomatic Corps who came to the airport
to greet us.
I accepted with great pleasure your invitation to visit China.
My visit gives us both an opportunity to consider further our
developing relationship. I come to Peking with the specific
objective of deepening the understanding between our two
Governments and peoples. For the future well-being of our people
and of the people of the region in which we are interested, it is
important that we understand each other's hopes and aspirations;
each other's viewpoints on the world and regional situations.
It is important that we make every effort to improve our understanding
of each other. A major theme of my visit to China and Japan is the
need to develop understanding between people with different
histories and cultures. I strongly believe that action should be
taken to improve the mutual understanding of our two countries.
The Major exhibition of China's historical treasures that-will
shortly be going to Australia is not only greatly appreciated by
Australia, but will do much to increase interest in China among
Australians. China's historical experience would provide ample justification
for her being suspicious of outsiders. But the world changes and
a realistic analysis of current interests must determine attitudes.
We approach foreign policy not on the basis of a country's ideology
nor its social system, but on its international policies and the
way it relates to other countries. What is required is an
identification of the conmmon interests countries share with one
another. I believe our mutual interests are becoming clearer, and
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more clearly realised by both of us. The importance to us both
of future developments in the Asian/ Pacific region, and the
future importance of that region, provides a basis for a working
relationship. There is much value in frank communication and
discussion. In this way, we can each take account of the real
interests of the other. We look for a realistic relationship
carrying mutual practical benefits. Benefits of that sort are
clearly to be seen in the growth of our trading relationship.
Modern technology facilitates, and makes more necessary, greater
direct personal contact, which can lead to an enduring relationship.
I am aware of China's view that there is " great disorder under heaven".
In a period of disorder and uncertainty in international affairs, the
need for realistic priorities and approaches to security cannot
be questioned. The right to decide one's own destiny is perhaps
the strongest moving force in all the countries of our region.
Australia is determined to act in parallel and in concert with others
to preserve its national independence. Australia is resolutely
opposed to the attempt of any great powers to dominate others.
Australia has long supported, including in many practical ways,
cooperation between countries of South East Asia. In particular,
we have built up a unique relationship with the five ASEAN countries
and attach great importance to it. We support all the ASEAN
countries in their efforts to ensure that no great power dominates
their region. We seek stability and balance in the Indian Ocean
on which we border. To our north-. east we seek to build relations
of mutual respect and mutual benefit with the newly-emerging nations
of Oceania. With New Zealand, and the United States, we are
joined in the ANZUS Treaty, by which we have undertaken to act
separately and jointly to maintain and develop our individual and
collective defence capacity. I therefore look forward, your
Excellency, to exploring with you in more detail our respective
views about the challenges confronting us in the world today.
I look forward to an exchange of ideas on how stability in our
region may be built through cooperation and through the sympathetic
support of others working for peace and cooperation.. China, like
other major powers, has a great task in improving the standard of
life Of her people.
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I look forward to hearing about your approach to economic development
and to the objectives set by your Chairman for China to achieve
by the end of the century. I look forward to the opportunity
you will be so generously giving me to see that economic performance
in action, particularly in the field of agriculture, which is
of such basic importance to both our countries, and in which I,
myself, have some interest. As China succeeds in this task, her
influence on world affairs will be even greater. How China exercises
that influence will be a major factor determining the possibilities
for world peace, for the remainder of this century and for the next.
In the end, the strength of a country is the resourcefulness and
application of its people, and we as Governments must always
understand that we are the servants of the people, and the people
are our masters.
Not the least remarkable chapter in a long and proud history, in which
China has contributed so much to world civilisation, is the great
efforts of her people today to build a new society benefiting all
its members. It is with the importance of that great endeavour
in mind, and in appreciation and gratitude for your invitation and
your splendid hospitality that, on behalf of my wife and all
my party, I propose a toast to Chairman Mao Tsetung, to your Excellency
Premier Hua Kuo-Feng, to all distinguished guests here tonight,
and to the growth of understanding between the peoples of China
and Australia. oo00oo