Talking with China: the Australian Labor Party visit and Peking's foreign policy

Abstract

In 1971 the Australian Labor Party sought and received an invitation to visit the People's Republic of China, a country it has long been A.L.P. policy to recognise. The purpose of the visit was to explore matters of common interest. This paper does more than record the A.L.P.'s visit and the discussions in Peking. It sets the visit in the context of Australia's policy towards China (an issue in domestic politics since 1949) and of China's foreign policy and the aims and conduct of Chinese diplomacy. Rarely has there been intelligent debate in Australia on foreign policy, particularly vis-a-vis China, a country about which many Australians are ill-informed. This timely paper is a serious contribution to an important and controversial debate. It will arouse widespread interest. Show more