Gough Whitlam.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam died on Oct. 21, Tuesday, but his legacy in China would go down in history as one of the first world leaders to recognize the communist country's government during the Cold War.
In an interview with ABC News' AM radio show, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying praised Whitlam's contribution in bridging diplomatic and trade relations with China.
"The former Australian prime minister was an outstanding statesman and an old friend of the people of China," Hua said.
Chinese news agencies alluded to Whitlam as the "Father of China-Australia relations."
Whitlam, Australia's 21st prime minister who served from 1972 to 1975, was known for establishing full relations with the People's Republic of China, and was the first Australian prime minister to visit China while in office.
Jim Spigelman, ABC chairman and then adviser to Whitlam, said that Australia's recognition of Red China was "an international breakthrough of some significance."
Since the Whitlam government, China has had economic, educational, political and cultural relations with Australia.
Australia is home to a growing minority of Australian-born Chinese and Chinese migrants. Over 150,000 Chinese students are also studying in Australian tertiary institutions. Economically, China is Australia's largest trade partner that supports its increasing need for iron ore, liquefied natural gas and coal.
Whitlam, who died at the age of 98, left four children. The family's press statement said: "A loving and generous father, he was a source of inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians."
Politicians in Australia expressed their sympathies to the Whitlams, noting that Gough Whitlam was "a man of the highest political courage," "a Labor giant" and one who redefined Australia "like no other Prime Minister before or since."
