Celebrating Australia-China 50 Year Anniversary
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. AustCham Shanghai has made a special video to celebrate this important milestone of the ever-expanding relationship between the two countries.
50 years ago on 21st December 1972, the Australian government under then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam formally recognised and established diplomatic relations with China, through the signing of a joint communiqué by the Australian and PRC envoys in Paris.
Gough Whitlam's diplomatic trip to Beijing in 1973
Over the 50 years, China and Australia have built a strong partnership and achieved outstanding results in various fields at all levels. China is now Australia's largest trading partner since signing the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement in 2015. The bilateral trade volume has reached $231.2 billion in 2021. China is also the fifth largest foreign direct investor in Australia. Australia has become one of the most popular foreign destinations for Chinese tourists as well as Chinese students. As of June 2022, there were more than 141,000 Chinese student enrolments in Australia.
China and Australia signed the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement in 2015China and Australia have always and are likely to continue to have, distinct complementarities that regardless of the state of the relationship will encourage a goal of prosperity in both directions. We wish both countries will take this as an opportunity to work together for a vibrant bilateral relationship and a brighter future!
