Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume V

611.9331/251

The Chinese Government to the Department of State ⁵¹

undated

The Chinese Government having been committed to the fundamental principle of reciprocity and equality of treatment among nations views with considerable sympathy the trade policy proposed by the United States Government based upon the principle of non-discriminatory treatment and equality of commercial rights and opportunity. It feels that in proposing this trade policy the United States Government has been animated by the same desire which has moved the Chinese Government to an insistence upon an early revision of existing treaties and the conclusion of equal and reciprocal treaties.

It occurs to the Chinese Government that on the visit of Mr. Quo Tai-chi to the United States as the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, an opportunity is afforded for an exchange of views with the United States Government on questions of general policy governing the relationship between the two countries. It is earnestly hoped that as a result of these conversations an agreement in principle may be reached whereby the Chinese Government signifies its readiness to adhere to the principles of freer international trade and non-discrimination in the treatment of commerce, as repeatedly enunciated by the United States Government, and, at the same time, the United States Government signifies its intention to remove all such provisions and arrangements contained in existing treaties with and concerning China as are inconsistent with the principle of equality and reciprocity. Detailed arrangements for the working out of these principles may be left to subsequent negotiation following the termination of hostilities.

It appears that such an agreement in principle is in line with the declared policy of the United States Government as stated in its note to the Japanese Government under date of December 31 [30], 1938,⁵² and re-affirmed by a statement by Acting Secretary of State, Mr. Welles, on July 19, 1940.⁵³ It is believed that the pronouncement of such an agreement at the present moment will not only constitute a source of moral encouragement to the Chinese Government and people in their struggle for independence and freedom but will lay down a sound and lasting basis for the stabilisation of conditions in the Far East.

51. Handed to the Secretary of State on April 29 by Dr. Quo Tai-chi, the Appointed Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was en route to China from his former post as Chinese Ambassador in the United Kingdom.
52. Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 820.
53. Ibid., p. 927.