Former Australian PM Gough Whitlam spoke highly of Deng Xiaoping's historic achievements in a talk with Chinese ambassador to Australia Fu Ying in Canberra on Juley 19. He said Deng had contributed enormously to China's development and Hong Kong's return to motherland.

Mr. Whitlam recalled the process of establishing diplomatic relations with China in 1972 delightedly and his meeting with the Chinese leaders including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping. Since 1973 he has paid a number of visits to China. Each time he can feel progress of the country. He expressed heartfelt admiration to China's successful reform and resume of sovereignty in Hong Kong under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping.

"Deng's mind is sharp and he is incisive in conversation ", remarked Mr. Whitlam. Two years ago, he visited Shenzhen and saw the statue of Deng Xiaoping there. "The achievements of reform in Shenzhen is really encouraging," says he. Mr. Whitlam also witnesses the rapid development of Pudong Shanghai and Tianjin. He says a lot of big enterprises like Motorola now come to China to put up factories, which shows China's tremendous attraction to foreign investment.

Mr. Whitlam thinks Deng Xiaoping had made significant contribution to Hong Kong's return to the motherland. At negotiations with British PM, Mrs. Thatcher, Deng maintained a firm stance that the sovereignty of Hong Kong was not negotiable.

Mr. Whitlam was Australian PM from 1972 to 1975. He had made important contribution to establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia.

By People's Daily Online