Australia's legation was first accredited to the Republic of China and was located in Chungking (Chongqing) from 1941 to 1946, with the first Minister, Sir Frederic Eggleston, presenting his credentials to President Lin Sen on 30 October 1941. The legation later moved to Nanking (Nanjing) from June 1946 to 1949, initially located at 34 Peiping Road and then 26 Yihe Road.[2] Following the Proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Australian Government recalled its Ambassador from China to discuss recognition of the Communist Government.[3] The Government of the Republic of China, having retreated to Taipei, Taiwan, maintained its embassy in Australia, until December 1972, and occupied the China seat at the United Nations until 1971. In 1966 Australia opened an Embassy in Taipei.[4] In 1972, diplomatic relations ceased following the decision of the government of then- Prime Minister, the Hon Gough Whitlam MP, to recognise the People's Republic of China and the Taipei Embassy closed in 1973.[5]
After diplomatic recognition of the PRC in 1972, Australia established an Embassy in Beijing in 1973,[6] followed by Consulates-General in Shanghai (1984), Guangzhou (1992) and Chengdu (2013). The latter was opened following release of the Asian Century White Paper by the Gillard government, and calls for an expanded diplomatic footprint in China.[7] On 9 November 2014, then-Foreign Affairs Minister, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, formally opened the Australian Consulate-General in Chengdu.[8] In March 2017, an agreement was signed to establish a fifth Australian Consulate-General in 2018, to be located in the northern city of Shenyang.[9]
As a result of Australia's recognition of the PRC in 1973, Australia has no diplomatic representation in Taiwan and continues economic, trade and cultural relations through the Australian Office in Taipei.
Office-holders
Building of the former Australian Legation in Chongqing, 1941–1946.
^"Taiwan awaits ambassador". The Canberra Times. Vol. 41, no. 11, 491. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 24 September 1966. p. 5. Retrieved 12 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Envoy's term finished". The Canberra Times. Vol. 43, no. 12, 375. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 28 July 1969. p. 1. Retrieved 12 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Envoy to China named". The Canberra Times. Vol. 43, no. 12, 390. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 14 August 1969. p. 11. Retrieved 12 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^ ab"Not to be replaced". The Canberra Times. Vol. 47, no. 13, 300. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 December 1972. p. 1. Retrieved 12 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^Bishop, Julie (7 November 2016). "Consul-General in Chengdu"(Media release). Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
^Carr, Bob (25 June 2012). "Consul-General in Guangzhou"(Media release). Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
^Bishop, Julie (11 February 2014). "Consul-General in Guangzhou"(Media release). Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 21 May 2017.