PM Transcripts

Transcripts from the Prime Ministers of Australia

Whitlam, Gough

Period of Service: 05/12/1972 - 11/11/1975
Release Date:
05/11/1973
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
3064
Document:
00003064.pdf 3 Page(s)
Released by:
  • Whitlam, Edward Gough
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR WHITLAM, ON HIS RETURN FROM CHINA AND JAPAN, 5 NOVEMBER 1973

NQ DATE
Mv/ 162 5 November 1973
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER ANDT MINISTER
AFFAIRS, 1-UWWHi ITLAM~, ON HIS= PLTRN
CHINA AND JAPAN, 5NOVEMBR= 1973.
" Within the next few days I shall be reporting to the
Australian Parliament 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 productive
overseas mission ever undertaken by an Australian 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 in 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 reso'Urces Australia in future will be
the master of her own house. We will not allow the present
proportion of foreign ownership and control of these resources
to increase. In Tokyo we made this position quite clear. The
Japanese understood it. They accepted it. At the same time we
reassured Japan that Australia would never deny Japan access to the
raw materials she needs, 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
of the Opposition did, about Japan's defence spending or internal
policies. I did not go, as Mr ' 2nedden did, to incite Japan to a
resurgence of militarism. I went to seek new friendship and
understanding.

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The fruits of that understanding will be embodied in 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 conclude such a treaty. We have now cleared the way for o
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 purchase 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 made by an
Australian Prime Minister. It brought great practical benefits
to Australia as well as great personal satisfaction to me.
It marked the end of a generation of neurotic fears and
lost opportunities. Australia has now established a firm and
cordial friendship with a 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
discussions with Premier Chou En-lai, Chairman Mao Tse-tung and
other Chinese leaders, the Australian Government now has a much
better knowledge of Chinese attitudes to a whole range of world
problems. 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
tests, the Middle East, Bangladesh and Korea we frankly
acknowledged and fully explained our differences.
On many practical issues we made great progress.
Dr Patterson secured 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

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another country. It follows the 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 and cooperation we have laid on this
visit will stand for years to come.

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