Who was the Prime Minister of Australia when the Joint Communiqué with the People's Republic of China was signed?
Australia–Taiwan relations Relations between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of China dates back in 1909 when the latter was ruled by the Qing dynasty. Since 1972, the political status and legal status of Taiwan are contentious issues. Australia's current position towards Taiwan is largely based on the Joint Communiqué with the People's Republic of China signed by the Whitlam Labor government in 1972. Under this agreement, the Australian government officially adheres to the One-China policy in which Australia recognises the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the ‘sole legitimate government of China.’ Currently, only twenty-one UN member states and the Holy See officially recognise Taiwan. The Joint Communiqué establishes ‘guidelines for official Australian contact with Taiwan,’ explicitly stating that Australia ‘does not consider Taiwan to have the status of national government.’ Despite the Australian government not having an official relationship with Taiwan, a substantial unofficial relationship has developed through cultural and trade links.
Paul Keating Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944) is an Australian politician who was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia and the Leader of the Labor Party from 1991 to 1996. Keating represented the division of Blaxland in the Australian House of Representatives and served as Minister for Northern Australia in the Whitlam government and as Treasurer of Australia and the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of Australia in the government of Bob Hawke.