Prime Ministers Series: Whitlam and China Panel Discussion
Although Australia and China’s bilateral relations were formally established in 1972, Gough Whitlam initiated the process in 1971. As Leader of the Opposition, Whitlam met with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing. Whitlam took a political risk in the face of staunch anti-Communist sentiments and the McMahon Government’s unwillingness to recognise China.
Whitlam’s leadership was evident as he conducted Australia-China affairs independently from Australia’s alliance with the US. He had the foresight to envision the mutual benefits that would result from formal bilateral relations between Australia and China.
On November 6 2014 ACRI gathered a group of specialists, including members of the historic 1971 visit, to explore Whitlam and China from his days as a backbencher, to his official visit as Prime Minister and Australia–China relations from then on. The panel included Professor the Hon. Bob Carr (Director, ACRI), Graham Freudenberg AM (author, political adviser and speechwriter) and Associate Professor James Curran (historian, University of Sydney).
This event was held at King & Wood Mallesons in Sydney.
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