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.
Gillard Government The Gillard Government was the Government of Australia led by the 27th Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, of the Australian Labor Party. The Gillard Government succeeded the First Rudd Government by way of the Labor Party leadership spill, and began on 24 June 2010, with Gillard sworn in as Prime Minister by the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce. The Gillard Government ended when Kevin Rudd won back the leadership of the Australian Labor Party on 26 June 2013 and commenced the Second Rudd Government.