DATE EMBARGO: Not to be used in any form before 6 p. m. 22 December 1972
M/13
ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA
The Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr E. G. Whitlam, today issued the following statement.
" Australia and the People's Republic of China have reached agreement on mutual recognition and the establishment of diplomatic relations.
I announced on 5 December that I had instructed our Ambassador in Paris to open negotiations with his Chinese colleague on this matter. These negotiations have been successful, and the two Ambassadors signed the attached joint communique at our Ambassador's residence in Paris on 21 December at 9 p. m. ( 7 a. m. on 22 December Canberra time).
It has long been the objective of the Australian Labor Party to establish diplomatic relations between Australia and the People's Republic of China. It accordingly gives me great satisfaction to announce * that this important step has now been taken.
While it has long been recognised that Australia's geographical position gives it special interests in the Asian region, up until now we have not come to terms with one of the central facts of that region, the People's Republic of China. This serious distortion in our foreign policy has now been corrected.
We have recognised the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. It follows that we can give no recognition to others claiming to be the Government of China. Chinese policies on both sides of the Taiwan Straits required us, as they have required other governments in a similar position, to make a choice in this matter. We have made the choice which we believe will best serve the interests of Australia. It is also the choice that has been made by the United Nations.
Our diplomatic relations with Taiwan came to an end with the signing of the communique in Paris. It is consequently necessary that Australian official representation in Taipei, and Taiwan's official representation in Australia, be withdrawn. This will be done before January 1973, as noted in the communique.
We now look forward to the growth of a more substantial relationship between Australia and China. I conveyed this hope in the attached message to Premier Chou En-lai which was passed to him through the Chinese Ambassador in Paris on 6 December ( Paris time). Premier Chou responded to this message on 10 December, ( Text attached.) I am gratified that Premier Chou has reciprocated my wish for a more substantial relationship and that he has identified some fields of future cooperation."
JOINT COMMUNIQUE OF THE AUST'RALIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC
RELATIONS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND CHINA
The Australian Government and the Government of the People ' s Republic of China, in conformity with the interests and common desire of the two peoples, have decided upon mutual recognition and the establishment of diplomatic relations as from 21 December 1972.
The two Governments agree to develop diplomatic relations, friendship and co-operation between the two countries on the basis of the 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 co-existence .
The Australian Government recognises the Government of the People ' s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledges the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of the People' s Republic of China, and has decided to remove its official representation from Taiwan before 25 January 1973.
The Government of the People's Republic of China appreciates the above stand of the Australian Government .
The two Governments have agreed to exchange Ambassadors as soon as the administrative formalities and practical arrangements have been completed, and to provide each other with all the necessary assistance for the establishment and performance of the functions of diplomatic missions in their respective capitals on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and in accordance with international law and practice.
For the Australian Government
(signed) Alan Renouf
Australian Ambassador to France
For the Government of the People' s Republic of China
(signed) Huang Chen
Ambassador of the People's
Republic of China to France.
Paris, 21 December 1972.
His Excellency Chou En-lai,
Premier of the State Council of the People 's Republic of China.
When I visited China last year and had most cordial discussions with you, we agreed on the desirability of putting relations between our two countries on a proper footing. It therefore now gives me great satisfaction to be able , as Prime Minister of Australia, to propose to Your Excellency the normalisation of relations between Australia and the Peoples ' s Republic of China be achieved with all possible despatch .
1 have accordingly today instructed the Australian Ambassador in Paris to propose through your Ambassador the immediate opening of negotiations between our Governments for mutual recognition and the establishment of diplomatic relations. I feel certain th.at our two Governments can soon agree on the terms of an announcement to this effect.
I hope, Excellency, that this will be but the first step in the growth of more substantial relationship between our two Governments and peoples and one marked by understanding, friendship and cooperation.
I personally look forward to extending in Australia to guests from the People' s Republic of China the same warm welcome which I myself was accorded in China last year.
Signed: Gough Whitlam, Prime Minister, Commonwealth of Australia.
Canberra, 5 December 1972.
His Excellency Edward Gough Whitlam
Prime Minister of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia , Canberra Australia
Your Excellency
On the occasion of your assumption of the office of Prime Minister of the Government of the: Commonwealth of Australia, I wish to extend to you our warm congratulations on behalf of the Chinese Government and people.
I still keep a pleasant memory of the friendly conversation we had concerning the international situation, Sino-Australian relations and other questions while Your Excellency was on visit in China last year.
When our table tennis delegation visited your country last July, Your Excellency kindly accorded it warm hospitality and made very friendly remarks about the relations between China and Australia.
Your Excellency has in your letter again indicated the desire of normalising the relations between China and Australia as soon as possible and has taken positive steps to this end.
I express my deep appreciation of all this.
I am convinced that the normalisation of Sino-Australian relations is in conformity with the interests and common desire of our two peoples.
It will open up good prospects for friendly co-operation and personnel exchanges between our two Governments in the trade, cultural, scientific- technological and other fields and help further strengthen the friendship between the peoples of China and Australia.
I wish Australia prosperity and her people well-being.
Signed: Chou En-lai , Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
Peking, 10 December 1972