On October 26, 2014, President Xi Jinping sent message of condolences to Governor-General Peter John Cosgrove of Australia over the death of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam of Australia. Xi Jinping expressed in his message of condolences that former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam of your country passed away. The Australian people lose an outstanding statesman, and the Chinese people lose a good friend. Xi Jinping, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, extended profound condolences over the death of Gough Whitlam and sincere sympathy to his families.
Xi Jinping pointed out that Mr. Gough Whitlam had made important contributions to the national construction and social progress of Australia, winning wide respect and appreciation from the Australian people. As a pioneer in China-Australia relations, Mr. Whitlam, as the then-Prime Minister, made a historic choice to establish diplomatic relationship with China 42 years ago. Over the past 42 years, China-Australia relations have made rapid progress. China attaches great importance to China-Australia relations and stands ready to make joint efforts with Australia to continuously elevate the level of bilateral relations so as to bring more benefits to the two countries and peoples.