List of Australian Ambassadors to China

Ambassador of Australia to China
Incumbent
Jan Elizabeth Adams
since 2016
Style Her Excellency
Nominator Prime Minister of Australia
Appointer Governor General of Australia
Inaugural holder Frederic Eggleston
Formation 1941
Website Australian Embassy, China

The Australian Ambassador to China is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The position has the rank and status of an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and has resided in Beijing since 1973.[1]

Posting history

Australia's legation was first accredited to the Republic of China and was located in Chungking (Qongqing) 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, with the embassy located first at 34 Peiping Road and then 26 Yihe Road, Nanjing.[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] In 1966 Australia recognised Taiwan as the "Republic of China", and opened an Embassy in Taipei.[4] In 1972, diplomatic relations were ended following the decision of the government of Gough Whitlam to recognise the People's Republic of China and the 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), Hong Kong (upgraded from Australian Commission, 1986), Guangzhou (1992) and Chengdu (2013). The latter was opened as a following the release of the Asian Century White Paper by the Gillard government, following calls for an expanded diplomatic footprint in China. From 1991 to 2008, the Ambassador to China was also accredited to Mongolia. As a result of Australia's recognition of the PRC in 1973, Australia has no diplomatic representation with Taiwan and continues economic, trade and cultural relations with the Australian Office in Taipei.

Office-holders

Building of the former Australian Legation in Chongqing, 1941–1946.

Ministers to the Republic of China

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
Frederic Eggleston19411944[7]
Keith Officer (Chargé d'affaires)19441946
Douglas Copland19461948

Ambassador to the Republic of China

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
Keith Officer19481949[3][8]

Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan)

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
Walter Handmer (Chargé d'Affaires)19661966[9]
Frank Bell Cooper19661969[10]
Hugh Dunn19691972[11][12]
Tony Godfrey-Smith (Chargé d'Affaires)19721973[12]

Ambassadors to the People's Republic of China

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
Stephen FitzGerald19731976[6]
Garry Woodard19761980[13]
Hugh Alexander Dunn19801984[14]
Dennis Argall19841985[15]
Ross Garnaut19851988
David Sadleir19881991
Michael Lightowler19911996[16]
Ric Smith19962000[17]
David Irvine20002003[18]
Alan Thomas20032007[19]
Geoff Raby20072011[20]
Frances Adamson20112015[21]
Jan Elizabeth Adams2016present[22]

References

  1. ↑ CA 1977: Australian Embassy, Peoples Republic of China [Peking/Beijing], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 26 April 2015
  2. ↑ CA 1979: Australian Embassy, Peoples Republic of China [Nanking], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 26 April 2015
  3. 1 2 "Ambassador to China Returning". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 November 1949. p. 3.
  4. ↑ Whitlam hasn't dumped Taiwan, Bruce Grant, The Age, July 14, 1971, page 5
  5. ↑ Taiwan country brief, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  6. 1 2 Jacobs, Michael (8 January 1973). "China accepts Ambassador". The Canberra Times. p. 3.
  7. ↑ "Sir F. Eggleston Appointed. Australian Minister to China". Queensland Times. Ipswisch, Queensland. 7 July 1941. p. 3.
  8. ↑ "Diplomat for China". Recorder. Port Pirie, South Australia. 18 June 1948. p. 1.
  9. ↑ "Taiwan awaits ambassador". The Canberra Times. 41, (11,491). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 24 September 1966. p. 5. Retrieved 12 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ "Envoy's term finished". The Canberra Times. 43, (12,375). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 28 July 1969. p. 1. Retrieved 12 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ↑ "Envoy to China named". The Canberra Times. 43, (12,390). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 14 August 1969. p. 11. Retrieved 12 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. 1 2 "Not to be replaced". The Canberra Times. 47, (13,300). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 December 1972. p. 1. Retrieved 12 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑ "New Ambassador to China announced". The Canberra Times. 23 October 1976. p. 1.
  14. ↑ "New envoy to China". The Canberra Times. 16 November 1979. p. 9.
  15. ↑ "Argall new envoy to China". The Canberra Times. 17 February 1984. p. 3.
  16. ↑ "Ambassador for China named". The Canberra Times. 18 April 1991. p. 4.
  17. ↑ Evans, Gareth (23 November 1995). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to China" (Press release). Australian Government.
  18. ↑ Downer, Alexander (8 November 1999). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to China" (Press release). Australian Government.
  19. ↑ Downer, Alexander (17 December 2002). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to China" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012.
  20. ↑ Downer, Alexander (23 November 2006). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to China" (Press release). Australian Government.
  21. ↑ Rudd, Kevin. "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to China" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
  22. ↑ Bishop, Julie. "Ambassador to China" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.

External links

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