AF FA I-R
NQ DATE
M/ 160 5 November 1973
AUSTRALIAN/ CHINESE JOINT PRtESS COI'MFUNIQUE
The following is the text of the joint communique issued
by the Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, and the Chinese Premier,
Mr Chou En-lai, in Peking at the conclusion of the Prime Minister's
visit to the People's Republic of China.
" At the invitation of the Premier of the State Council of
the People's Republic of China, Chou En-lai, the Prime Minister
of Australia, Mr E. G. Whitlam, paid an official visit to the
People's Republic of China from 31 October to 4 November 1973.
Mr Whitlam was accompanied by Mrs Whitlam, the Treasurer,
Mr Frank Crean, the Minister for Northern Development and the
Northern Territory, Dr Rex Patterson, Mr T. Burns, M. IJ. A., and
a party of officials..
Mr Whitlam welcomed this opportunity to renew his
acquaintance with China and Chinese leaders. While in Peking,
the Prime Minister, IKrs Whitlam and his party visited a factory,
0 a people's commune and famous historic and cultural sites and were
warmly welcomed and cordially received by the Chinese Government
and people. The visit was the first official visit to China by an
Australian Head of Government and marked a new and important stage
in the relations between the two countries.
Chairman Mao Tse-tung met Prime Minister Whitlam and had
a friendly conversation with him.
Premier Chcu En-lai and Prime Minister Whitlam held talks
in a cordial atmosphere on a wide range of international problems
and on the question of further developing the relations between
the two countries.
The Australian Treasurer and the Minister for Northern
Development and the Northern TPerritory had separate meetings with
responsible members of the Ministries of Finance, Communications,
-2-
Fuel ana Chemical Industries, Foreign Trade, Agriculture and
Forestry and the N~ ational Planning Commission of the People's
Republic of China and exchanged views on matters of' interest to
both sides. The two sides agreed that these talks and meetings were
very helpful in deepening the understanding and friendship between
the two countries and peoples, as well as in the continued efforts
of the two countries for the improvement of the international
situation. Both sides affirmed that countries, big or small, should be
equal. Every nation has the right to safeguard its independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity against foreign aggression,
interference, control and subversion.
The two sides affirmed that China and Australia, being
situated in the Asia/ Pacific region were closely interested in the
development of the situation in this region. They both expressed
their opposition to the seeking of hegemony in this rcgion by
any country or group of countries.
The two sides stated that although thie social systems of
China and Australia are different, the two countries can and
should develop relations on the basis of the five principles of
mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual
non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs,
equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. This is not
only in the interests of the two peoples, but will also contribute
to an improvement in international relations.
The two sides reviewed the development of bilateral
relations between China and Australia and expressed satisfaction
at the progress which had been made since the establishment of
dip'Lomatic relations between the two countries on 21 December 1972.
The two sides expressed their gratification that as a result
of an exchange of visits by their respective Ministers responsible
for foreign trade, the two countries had concluded a trade t
agreement. They welcomed also the successful negotiation, uLnder?",
the umbrella of this trade agreement, of an agreement covering the
purchase of Australian wheat by China over a three year period.
They agreed that both Governments should study the practical
possibilities of further developing economic relations and
investigate prospects for long-term agreements involving other
commodities. Both sides noted that a good beginning had been made in
the field of cultural exchanges, with the successful visit to
Australia by the Canton Acrobatic Troupe and the completion of
arrangements for a student exchange program. Both sides agreed
that it was desirable to develop a planned program of cultural,
scientific and technological exchanges between China and
Australia. To this end, they discussed specific areas in which
contacts and exchanges would be mutually beneficial. It was
agreed that representative missions in the cultural, scientific
and technological fields would be exchanged during 1974.
An understanding in principle was arrived at between the0
two sides on travel from China to Australia by relatives of C--' i
Australian citizens of Chinese descent and Chinese citizens
residing in Australia. Mcqt,
It was agreed that the flinisters for Foreign Affairs of C~~ A
the two countries would exchange visits at times to be
determined in 1974.
The two sides also agreed to promote actively further
exchanges of views between Australian and Chinese officials on YO
questions of mutual interest.
The two sides noted with satisfaction that the official
visit to the People's Republic of China by the Australian Prime
Minister had strengthened the ties between the two countries and
friendship between the two peoples.
Prime Minister Xhitlam expressed his deep appreciation to
the Government and people of the People's Republic of-China for
the very cordial welcome extended to him, his wife, and members
of his party during their visit to China.