Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS
Panel Discussion: “Whitlam and China”
Date: 5.00 pm for 5.30 pm start, Thursday, November 6, 2014
Venue: King & Wood Mallesons, Level 61, Governor Phillip Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000
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.
ACRI has gathered a group of specialists, including members of the historic 1971 visit, to explore Whitlam and China from his days as a backbencher, to relive memories from his first trip to China, his official visit as Prime Minister and Australia–China relations from then on. The panel will include Professor the Hon. Bob Carr (Director, ACRI), Graham Freudenberg AM (author, political adviser and speechwriter) and Associate Professor James Curran (historian, University of Sydney).
To register for this event, please click here.