800.796/885a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
746. The first meeting with the Chinese group to discuss post-war aviation matters took place on May 22. It was emphasized at the outset that in these bilateral talks, we aim at an informal and exploratory [Page 485] exchange of views which we hope will indicate what sort of international practices and commitments we might expect would eventually become possible. It was also indicated that it was our thought that through an informal exchange of ideas, a groundwork of agreement on matters of general principle might be created which can be further discussed and elaborated at a United Nations conference.
The first two items on the prepared agenda (see Department’s no. 578 of March 31)21 were presented for discussion, namely the general principle of free transit with the right of technical stop and the general principle of the right of commercial entry. Our attitude on these two questions was further elaborated on as set forth in the summary of objectives supplied to the Embassy under cover of the Department’s no. 598 of April 10 [18], 1944.22
Following out the thought as set forth in the summary that specific arrangements with regard to commercial entry might be made by bilateral intergovernmental agreement, there was laid before the Chinese group the specific air routes between the United States and China which we would be glad to have considered, in the hope that these routes may eventually be opened on a mutually satisfactory basis, to American commercial lines. It was indicated at the same time that we would be glad to learn of any proposals which the Chinese group may desire to put forward.
Mr. Chang Kia-Ngau received the proposals on behalf of the Chinese group and stated that they would be referred to Chungking for the views of his government, which he hoped would be forthcoming shortly. It is then expected that another meeting will be held.
Additional supplementary material being transmitted by air mail.23