Australia's former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who opened door to China, dies at 98

Australia’s former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who established diplomatic ties with Beijing, died Tuesday, at the age of 98.

Edward “Gough” Whitlam, born in July 1916, led the Australian Labour Party in government from December 1972 until his dismissal in November 1975 by then Governor General Sir John Kerr, Queen Elizabeth II’s representative in the former British colony.

Campaigning on the slogan “It’s time,” Whitlam ended 23 years of conservative Liberal National rule and instituted many socially progressive reforms, including free university education, introduction of universal healthcare and no-fault divorce.

Whitlam’s legacy also includes the passing of the Racial Discrimination Act, recognising indigenous Aboriginal land rights, withdrawing Australian troops from the Vietnam War and recognising the Chinese government in Beijing.

But his leadership came to a dramatic end after three years when Australia’s parliament hit a political deadlock. The opposition refused to pass supply bills in an attempt to force Whitlam to call an election.