Ethiopian Review

A slip of the tongue as a young diplomat in Beijing left a deep impression on the Chinese that burns in Kevin Rudd’s memory, the Prime Minister has revealed.

Mr Rudd related the tale last night as he spoke on one of his favourite themes – the need for Australians to be more familiar with Asia.

He reflected on an occasion as a young diplomat in Beijing when he was translating for the Australian ambassador, Ross Garnaut, at a meeting with Chinese officials.

Professor Garnaut said Australia and China had a relationship of unprecedented closeness. Young Mr Rudd translated – and his efforts were met with shock and laughter.

“Apparently what I’d said … was that China and Australia are currently experiencing fantastic mutual orgasm,” Mr Rudd recounted.

“Ever since then our Chinese friends have remembered my visit to Beijing.”

Mr Rudd, launching Thomas Keneally’s history Australia: origins to Eureka urged an end to the history and culture wars of the Howard era and said more people should study Asian languages, history and cultures.

More than three-quarters of Australians only spoke one language, he noted, at times addressing to the audience in Mandarin.

(watoday)