The Chungking Legation: Australia's diplomatic mission in wartime China

The Australian Legation in Chungking (Chongqing) China, was established on 28 October 1941. It was Australia’s third overseas diplomatic post, following Washington and Tokyo in 1940. When Japan entered the World War II in December 1941 Australia and China became allies in defending the Pacific, only months after they formerly established diplomatic relations. China sent Dr Hsu Mo (Xu Mo), former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Nationalist government, to Canberra as the first Chinese ambassador to Australia. In return, Australia sent Sir Frederic Eggleton to Chungqing as Australia’s first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to China. Filled with first-hand accounts, this book explores the fascinating story of the establishment of the Chungqing Legation and the lives and work of the people employed there. It is based on an exhibition of the same name curated by the Chinese Museum for the Australian Consulate-General in Chengdu.