Note: This page presents a collection of selected important texts and documents pertaining to
the Taiwan Politics Database. Alternatively, the user can also refer to a PDF file that shows the contents of this
page as well—557 pages in A5 format, file size: 8.46 MB (file includes the ROC
Constitution); click here to open.
In addition, separate relevant PDF files in A4 format are available for free download as listed below:
Selected imported texts and documents. 175 pages, file size 4.2 MB; click here
The Hong Kong files—relevant treaties and laws. 157 pages, file size: 3.69 MB; click here
Inaugural addresses by ROC Presidents since 1996. 63 pages, file size: 2.5 MB; click here
Facts about the "1992 Consensus". 14 pages, file size: 1.6 MB; click here
Please note that the texts and documents shown in this page's chapter are listed in chronological order according to the
respective publication date. Due to the sheer number of selected texts, this chapter has been subdivided into three time segments.
In the field of international politics, the status of the ROC has long been highly controversial. Most countries in the
world acknowledge the so-called "One China" principle (yige Zhongguo
yuanze 一個中國原則), i. e. its interpretation by the PRC, according to which "there is only one China in the world and
Taiwan is a part of that China". Today less than two dozen states, most of them with no international importance, maintain
formal diplomatic relations with the ROC. The existence of the ROC is not only
denied internationally but also domestically by pro-independence activists in Taiwan who claim that there was no legal
foundation for Taiwan to be put under ROC control in 1945, making the now Taipei-based ROC government a
"government-in-exile" (liuwang zhengfu 流亡政府). More details in this context can be found under the
headline "Legal aspects of Taiwan in the ROC" of the section Taiwan Province on the page "Local administration".
Most of the texts and documents shown in this page were selected for their significance to the status of China and
Taiwan/the PRC and the ROC. Others were picked for their significance in the dispute concerning the Diaoyutai Islands (Diaoyutai lieyu 釣魚台列嶼)—called "Senkaku Islands" (Jian'ge
zhudao 尖閣諸島, Japanese pronunciation "Senkaku shotō") by Japan—in
the East China Sea which are claimed by the ROC, the PRC, and Japan, or as reference to be used in the controversy
about overlapping sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, e. g. the Spratly Islands
(nansha qundao 南沙群島). A red star symbol ("★") indicates a text
authored—or co-authored—by a PRC government agency or a CCP heavyweight.
All documents are presented in original full text, with two exceptions. Because the Treaty
of Versailles and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are far too large
to be included here (in fact, UNCLOS is even larger than all other texts in this chapter combined), only parts deemed relevant
by the editor were selected—of the Treaty of Versailles which in the original has 440 articles in 15 parts, ten articles are shown,
and one article out of the 320 articles in 17 parts of UNCLOS. A scissors symbol ("✄") indicates that most of
the document's articles were left out.
As for important quotes like Bill Clinton's "Three No's", Lee Teng-hui's remarks
about the "special state-to-state relationship" between the ROC and the PRC, and
Colin Powell's statement on "one China" and Taiwan, only the paragraph with the
actual wording is displayed here. Additional notes from the editor (i. e. this website's chief
researcher) are marked as such and highlighted with a stop sign symbol ("🛑").
Please note that the topic of Taiwan’s status under international law was the focus of a doctoral thesis written by German law
expert Claudius Petzold: “Die völkerrechtliche Stellung Taiwans”, published in 2007 by Nomos Universitätsschriften – Recht, 226
pages (in German), ISBN 978-3-8329-2373-0. The text is available as eBook on the
Nomos eLibrary.
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
and His Majesty the Emperor of China, desiring to restore the blessings of peace to their countries and subjects and to remove all cause
for future complications, have named as their Plenipotentiaries for the purpose of concluding a Treaty of Peace, that is to say:
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Count ITO Hirobumi, Junii, Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Paullownia,
Minister President of State; and Viscount MUTSU Munemitsu, Junii, First Class of the Imperial Order of the Sacred
Treasure, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
And His Majesty the Emperor of China, LI Hung-chang, Senior Tutor to the Heir Apparent, Senior Grand Secretary
of State, Minister Superintendent of Trade for the Northern Ports of China, Viceroy of the province of Chili, and Earl
of the First Rank; and LI Ching-fong, Ex-Minister of the Diplomatic Service, of the Second Official Rank:
Who, after having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in good and proper form, have agreed to the
following Articles:—
Article 1
China recognises definitively the full and complete independence and autonomy of Korea, and, in consequence, the
payment of tribute and the performance of ceremonies and formalities by Korea to China, in derogation of such independence
and autonomy, shall wholly cease for the future.
Article 2
China cedes to Japan in perpetuity and full sovereignty the following territories, together with all fortifications,
arsenals, and public property thereon:—
(a) The southern portion of the province of Fêngtien within the following boundaries:
The line of demarcation begins at the mouth of the River Yalu and ascends that stream to the mouth of the River
An-ping, from thence the line runs to Fêng-huang, from thence to Hai-cheng, from thence to Ying-kow, forming a line
which describes the southern portion of the territory. The places above named are included in the ceded territory. When the
line reaches the River Liao at Ying-kow, it follows the course of the stream to its mouth, where it terminates. The
mid-channel of the River Liao shall be taken as the line of demarcation.
This cession also includes all islands appertaining or belonging to the province of Fêngtien situated in the
eastern portion of the Bay of Liao-tung and the northern portion of the Yellow Sea.
(b) The island of Formosa, together with all islands appertaining or belonging to the said island of Formosa.
(c) The Pescadores Group, that is to say, all islands lying between the 119th and 120th degrees of longitude east
of Greenwich and the 23rd and 24th degrees of north latitude.
Article 3
The alignment of the frontiers described in the preceding Article, and shown on the annexed map, shall be subject to
verification and demarcation on the spot by a Joint Commission of Delimitation, consisting of two or more Japanese and two
or more Chinese delegates, to be appointed immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this Act. In case the
boundaries laid down in this Act are found to be defective at any point, either on account of topography or in consideration
of good administration, it shall also be the duty of the Delimitation Commission to rectify the same.
The Delimitation Commission will enter upon its duties as soon as possible, and will bring its labours to a conclusion
within the period of one year after appointment.
The alignments laid down in this Act shall, however, be maintained until the rectifications of the Delimitation Commission,
if any are made, shall have received the approval of the Governments of Japan and China.
Article 4
China agrees to pay to Japan as a war indemnity the sum of 200,000,000 Kuping taels; the said sum to be paid in eight
instalments. The first instalment of 50,000,000 taels to be paid within six months, and the second instalment of 50,000,000
to be paid within twelve months, after the exchange of the ratifications of this Act. The remaining sum to be paid in six
equal instalments as follows: the first of such equal annual instalments to be paid within two years, the second within
three years, the third within four years, the fourth within five years, the fifth within six years, and the sixth within
seven years, after the exchange of the ratifications of this Act. Interest at the rate of 5 per centum per annum shall begin
to run on all unpaid portions of the said indemnity from the date the first instalment falls due.
China shall, however, have the right to pay by anticipation at any time any or all of the said instalments. In case the
whole amount of the said indemnity is paid within three years after the exchange of the ratifications of the present Act all
interest shall be waived, and the interest for two years and a half or for any less period, if any already paid, shall be
included as part of the principal amount of the indemnity.
Article 5
The inhabitants of the territories ceded to Japan who wish to take up their residence outside the ceded districts shall
be at liberty to sell their real property and retire. For this purpose a period of two years from the date of the exchange of
ratifications of the present Act shall be granted. At the expiration of that period those of the inhabitants who shall not
have left such territories shall, at the option of Japan, be deemed to be Japanese subjects.
Each of the two Governments shall, immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications of the present Act, send one or more
Commissioners to Formosa to effect a final transfer of that province, and within the space of two months after the exchange of
the ratifications of this Act such transfer shall be completed.
Article 6
All Treaties between Japan and China having come to an end as a consequence of war, China engages, immediately upon the
exchange of the ratifications of this Act, to appoint Plenipotentiaries to conclude with the Japanese Plenipotentiaries, a
Treaty of Commerce and Navigation and a Convention to regulate Frontier Intercourse and Trade. The Treaties, Conventions, and
Regulations now subsisting between China and the European Powers shall serve as a basis for the said Treaty and Convention
between Japan and China. From the date of the exchange of ratifications of this Act until the said Treaty and Convention are
brought into actual operation, the Japanese governments, its officials, commerce, navigation, frontier intercourse and trade,
industries, ships, and subjects, shall in every respect be accorded by China most favoured nation treatment.
China makes, in addition, the following concessions, to take effect six months after the date of the present Act:—
First.—The following cities, towns, and ports, in addition to those already opened, shall be opened to the trade,
residence, industries, and manufactures of Japanese subjects, under the same conditions and with the same privileges and
facilities as exist at the present open cities, towns, and ports of China:
● Shashih, in the province of Hupeh.
● Chungking, in the province of Szechwan.
● Suchow, in the province of Kiangsu.
● Hangchow, in the province of Chekiang.
The Japanese Government shall have the right to station consuls at any or all of the above named places.
Second.—Steam navigation for vessels under the Japanese flag, for the conveyance of passengers and cargo, shall
be extended to the following places:
● On the Upper Yangtze River, from Ichang to Chungking.
● On the Woosung River and the Canal, from Shanghai to Suchow and Hangchow.
The rules and regulations that now govern the navigation of the inland waters of China by Foreign vessels shall, so far
as applicable, be enforced, in respect to the above named routes, until new rules and regulations are conjointly agreed to.
Third.—Japanese subjects purchasing goods or produce in the interior of China, or transporting imported merchandise
into the interior of China, shall have the right temporarily to rent or hire warehouses for the storage of the articles so
purchased or transported without the payment of any taxes or extractions whatever.
Fourth.—Japanese subjects shall be free to engage in all kinds of manufacturing industries in all the open cities,
towns, and ports of China, and shall be at liberty to import into China all kinds of machinery, paying only the stipulated import
duties thereon.
All articles manufactured by Japanese subjects in China shall, in respect of inland transit and internal taxes, duties, charges,
and exactions of all kinds, and also in respect of warehousing and storage facilities in the interior of China, stand upon the same
footing and enjoy the same privileges and exemptions as merchandise imported by Japanese subjects into China.
In the event additional rules and regulations are necessary in connexion with these concessions, they shall be embodied in
the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation provided for by this Article.
Article 7
Subject to the provisions of the next succeeding Article, the evacuation of China by the armies of Japan shall be completely
effected within three months after the exchange of the ratificatioins of the present Act.
Article 8
As a guarantee of the faithful performance of the stipulations of this Act, China consents to the temporary occupation by the
military forces of Japan of Weihaiwei, in the province of Shantung.
Upon payment of the first two instalments of the war indemnity herein stipulated for and the exchange of the ratifications of
the Treaty of Commerce and navigation, the said place shall be evacuated by the Japanese forces, provided the Chinese Government
consents to pledge, under suitable and sufficient arrangements, the Customs revenue of China as security for the payment of the
principal and interest of the remaining instalments of the said indemnity. In the event that no such arrangements are concluded,
such evacuation shall only take place upon the payment of the final instalment of said indemnity.
It is, however, expressly understood that no such evacuation shall take place until after the exchange of the ratifications
of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation.
Article 9
Immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications of this Act, all prisoners of war then held shall be restored, and China
undertakes not to ill-treat or punish prisoners of war so restored to her by Japan. China also engages to at once release all
Japanese subjects accused of being military spies or charged with any other military offences. China further engages not to punish
in any manner, nor to allow to be punished, those Chinese subjects who have in any manner been compromised in their relations with
the Japanese army during the war.
Article 10
All offensive military operations shall cease upon the exchange of the ratifications of this Act.
Article 11
The present Act shall be ratified by their Majesties the Emperor of Japan and the Emperor of China, and the ratifications shall
be exchanged at Chefoo on the 8th day of the 5th month of the 28th year of MEIJI, corresponding to the 14th day of the 4th month of
the 21st year of KUANG HSÜ.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same and affixed thereto the seal of their arms.
DONE in Shimonoseki, in duplicate, this 17th day of the fourth month of the 28th year of MEIJI, corresponding to the 23rd day
of the 3rd month of the 21st year of KUANG HSÜ.
Count Ito Hirobumi(Junii, Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Paullownia; Minister President of State; Plenipotentiary
of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan)
Viscount Mutsu Munemitsu(Junii, First Class of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure; Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs; Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan)
Li Hung-chang(Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China; Senior Tutor to the Heir Apparent; Senior Grand
Secretary of State; Minister Superintendent of Trade for the Northern Ports of China; Viceroy of the province of Chili; Earl of the
First Rank)
Li Ching-fong(Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China; Ex-Minister of the Diplomatic Service, of the
Second Official Rank)
The Treaty of Shimonoseki (Maguan tiaoyue 馬關條約; title in Japanese: Shimonoseki Jōyaku下関条約) was signed at Shimonoseki (下關) on April 17, 1895
and entered into force on May 8, 1895 by the exchange of the instruments of ratification at Chefoo (芝罘).
The Japanese have affronted China by annexing our territory of Formosa, and the supplications of us, the People of Formosa, at the portals of the Throne have been made in vain. We now learn that the Japanese slaves are about to arrive.
If we suffer this, the land of our hearths and homes will become the land of savages and barbarians, but if we do not suffer it, our condition of comparative weakness will certainly not endure long. Frequent conferences have been held with the Foreign Powers, who all aver that the People of Formosa must establish their independence before the Powers will assist them.
Now, therefore, we, the People of Formosa, are irrevocably resolved to die before we will serve the enemy. And we have in Council determined to convert the whole island of Formosa into a Republican state, and that the administration of all our State affairs shall be organized and carried on by the deliberations and decisions of Officers publicly elected by us the People.
But as in this new enterprise there is needed, as well for the resistance of Japanese aggression as for the organization of the new administration, a man to have chief control, in whom authority shall centre, and by whom the peace of our homesteads shall be assured—therefore, in view of the respect and admiration in which we have long held the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Tang Ching Sung, we have in Council determined to raise him to the position of President of the Republic.
An official seal has been cut, and on the second day of fifth moon, at the ssu hour [9 a.m. 25 May], it will be publicly presented with all respect by the notables and people of the whole of Formosa. At early dawn on that day, all of us, notables and people, farmers and merchants, artizans and tradesmen, must assemble at the Tuan Fang Meeting House, that we may in grave and solemn manner inaugurate this undertaking.
Let there be neither delay nor mistake.
A Declaration of the whole of Formosa.
[Seal in red as follows] An announcement by the whole of Formosa
In Japanese, the Republic of Formosa (Taiwan minzhuguo 臺灣民主國) is called Taiwan minshu koku (台湾民主国), and
its Declaration of Independence (Taiwan minzhuguo duli xuanyan 臺灣民主國獨立宣言) is called Taiwan minshu koku dokuritsu sengen
(台湾民主国独立宣言).
More information about the short-lived "Republic of Formosa" can be found on the page "Introduction Taiwan / ROC", please click here.
His Majesty the Emperor of China and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, desiring to conclude a Convention for
the retrocession by Japan of all of the southern portion of the province of Fêngtien to the sovereignty of
China, have for that purpose named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say:
His Majesty the Emperor of China, LI HUNG-CHANG, Minister Plenipotentiary, Senior Tutor of the Heir Apparent,
Senior Grand Secretary of State and Earl of the First Rank, and
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Baron HAYASHI TADASU, Shoshii, Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Sacred
Treasure, Grand Officer of the Imperial Order of the Rising Sun, Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary,
who, after having communicated to each other their full powers, which were found to be in good and proper form, have
agreed upon the following Articles:—
Article 1
Japan retrocedes to China in perpetuity and full sovereignty the southern portion of the province of Fêngtien,
which was ceded to Japan under Article 2 of the Treaty of Shimonoseki on the 23rd day of the 3rd month of the 21st year
of KUANG HSÜ, corresponding to the 17th day of the 4th month of the 28th year of MEIJI, together with all fortifications,
arsenals, and public property thereon at the time the retroceded territory is completely evacuated by the Japanese forces in
accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of this Convention, that is to say, the southern portion of the province of
Fêngtien from the mouth of the River Yalu to the mouth of the River An-ping, thence to Feng-huang-ch'ên, thence
to Hai-ch'êng and thence to Ying-kow; also all cities and towns to the south of this boundary and ail islands appertaining
or belonging to the province of Fêngtien situated in the eastern portion of the Bay of Liaotung and in the northern part
of the Yellow Sea. Article 3 of the Treaty of Shimonoseki is in consequence suppressed, as are also the provisions in the same
Treaty with reference to the conclusion of a Convention to regulate frontier intercourse and trade.
Article 2
As compensation for the southern portion of the province of Fêngtien, the Chinese Government engage to pay to the
Japanese Government 30,000,000 Kuping taels on or before the 30th day of the 9th month of the 21st year of KUANG HSÜ,
corresponding to the 16th day of the 11th month of the 28th year of MEIJI.
Article 3
Within three months from the day on which China shall have paid to Japan the compensatory indemnity of 30,000,000 Kuping
taels provided for in Article 2 of this Convention, the retroceded territory shall be completely evacuated by the Japanese
forces.
Article 4
China engages not to punish in any manner, nor to allow to be punished, those Chinese subjects who have in any manner
been compromised in connection with the occupation by the Japanese forces of.the retroceded territory.
Article 5
The present Convention is signed in duplicate in the Chinese, Japanese, and English languages. All these texts have the
same meaning and intention, but in case of any differences of interpretation between the Chinese and Japanese texts, such
differences shall be decided by reference to the English text.
Article 6
The present Convention shall be ratified by His Majesty the Emperor of China and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and
the ratifications thereof shall be exchanged at Peking within 21 days from the present date.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same and affixed thereto the seal of their arms.
DONE in Peking this 22nd day of the 9th month of the 21st year of KUANG HSÜ, corresponding to the 8th day of the
11th month of the 28th year of MEIJI.
LI HUNG-CHANG, [L.S.]———Minister Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China
Senior Tutor to the Heir Apparent Senior Grand Secretary of State Earl of the First Rank
Baron HAYASHI TADASU, [L.S.]———Shoshii, Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure
Grand Officer of the Imperial Order of the Rising Sun Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
The Liaotung Convention (Liaodong tiaoyue 遼東條約 or Liaodong xieyi 遼東協議) was signed in Beijing
on Nov. 8, 1895 and is also known under the following names: Fengtian Peninsula Return Treaty (Fengtian bandao huanfu
tiaoyue 奉天半島還付條約), Sino-Japanese Liao-south Treaty (Zhong Ri Liaonan tiaoyue 中日遼南條約), or Treaty
of Peking (Beijing tiaoyue 北京條約); in Japanese: Treaty Concerning Fengtien Peninsula Return
(Hōten hantō kanpu ni kansuru jōyaku 奉天半島還付に関する条約).
The Plenipotentiaries
—of Germany, M. Alfons Mumm (Freiherr von Schwarzenstein);
—of Austria-Hungary, Baron Moritz Czikann von Wahlborn;
—of Belgium, Maurice Joostens;
—of Spain, M. Bernardo J. de Cólogan;
—of the United States, Mr. William W. Rockhill;
—of France, M. Paul Beau;
—of Great Britain, Sir Ernest Satow;
—of Italy, Marquis Salvago Raggi;
—of Japan, M. Jutaro Komura 小村 壽太郎;
—of the Netherlands, M. Fridolin Marinus Knobel;
—of Russia, M. Michael de Giers;
and the Plenipotentiaries of China,
His Highness Yi-K'uang 奕劻, Prince of the First Rank; Ch'ing, President of the Board of Foreign Affairs; and
His Excellency Li Hung-chang 李鴻章, Count of the First Rank; Su-Yi, Tutor of the Heir Apparent; Grand Secretary
of the Wen-Hua Throne Hall, Minister of Commerce, Superintendent of Trade for the North, Governor-General of Chihli,
have met for the purpose of declaring that China has complied with the conditions laid down in the note of the
22nd December, 1900, and which were accepted in their entirety by His Majesty the Emperor of China in a Decree dated
the 27th December, 1900.
Article 1
1) By an Imperial Edict of the 9th June last, Tsai-Feng, Prince of the First Rank, Chün, was appointed
Ambassador of His Majesty the Emperor of China, and directed in that capacity to convey to His Majesty the German Emperor
the expression of the regrets of His Majesty the Emperor of China and of the Chinese Government at the assassination of
his Excellency the late Baron von Ketteler, German Minister.
Prince Chün left Peking on the 12th July last to carry out the orders which had been given him.
2) The Chinese Government has stated that it will erect on the spot of the assassination of his Excellency the late Baron
von Ketteler, commemorative monument worthy of the rank of the deceased, and bearing an inscription in the Latin, German,
and Chinese languages which shall express the regrets of His Majesty the Emperor of China for the murder committed.
The Chinese Plenipotentiaries have informed his Excellency the German Plenipotentiary, in a letter dated the 22nd July last,
that an arch of the whole width of the street would be erected on the said spot, and that work on it was begun on the 25th June last.
Article 2
1) Imperial Edicts of the 13th and 21st February, 1901, inflicted the following punishments on the principal authors of
the attempts and of the crimes committed against the foreign Governments and their nationals:—
Tsa-Ii, Prince Tuan, and Tsai-Lan, Duke Fu-kuo, were sentenced to be brought before the Autumnal Court of Assize for execution,
and it was agreed that if the Emperor saw fit to grant them their lives, they should be exiled to Turkestan, and there imprisoned for life,
without the possibility of commutation of these punishments.
Tsai Hsün, Prince Chuang, Ying-Nien, President of the Court of Censors, and Chao Shu-chiao, President of the Board
of Punishments, were condemned to commit suicide.
Yü Hsien, Governor of Shansi, Chi Hsiu, President of the Board of Rites, and Hsü Cheng-yu, formerly Senior Vice-President
of the Board of Punishments, were condemned to death.
Posthumous degradation was inflicted on Kang Yi, Assistant Grand Secretary, President of the Board of Works, Hsü Tung,
Grand Secretary, and Li Ping-heng, former Governor-General of Szu-chuan.
Imperial Edict of the 13th February last rehabilitated the memories of Hsu Yung-yi, President of the Board of War; Li Shan, President
of the Board of Works; Hsu Ching Cheng, Senior Vice-President of the Board of Civil Office; Lien Yuan, Vice-Chancellor of the Grand Council;
and Yuan Chang, Vice-President of the Court of Sacrifices, who had been put to death for having protested against the outrageous breaches
of international law of last year.
Prince Chuang committed suicide on the 21st February last; Ying Nien and Chao Shu-chiao on the 24th February; Yu Hsien
was executed on the 22nd February; Chi Hsiu and Hsü Cheng-yu on the 26th February; Tung Fu-hsiang, General in Kan-su, has
been deprived of his office by Imperial Edict of the 13th February last, pending the determination of the final punishment to be inflicted
on him.
Imperial Edicts, dated the 29th April and 19th August, 1901, have inflicted various punishments on the provincial officials convicted
of the crimes and outrages of last summer.
2) An Imperial Edict, promulgated the 19th August, 1901, ordered the suspension of official examinations for five years in
all cities where foreigners were massacred or submitted to cruel treatment.
Article 3
So as to make honourable reparation for the assassination of Mr. Sugiyama, Chancellor of the Japanese Legation, His Majesty
the Emperor of China, by an Imperial Edict of the 18th June, 1901, appointed Na T'ung, Vice-President of the Board of Finances, to
be his Envoy Extraordinary, and specially directed him to convey to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan the expression of the regrets of
His Majesty the Emperor of China and of his Government at the assassination of Mr. Sugiyama.
Article 4
The Chinese Government has agreed to erect an expiatory monument in each of the foreign or international cemeteries which were
desecrated, and in which the tombs were destroyed.
It has been agreed with the Representatives of the Powers that the Legations interested shall settle the details for the erection of
these monuments, China bearing all the expenses thereof, estimated at 10,000 taels, for the cemeteries at Peking and in its neighbourhood, and
at 5,000 taels for the cemeteries in the provinces. The amounts have been paid, and the list of these cemeteries is inclosed herewith.
Article 5
China has agreed to prohibit the importation into its territory of arms and ammunition, as well as of materials exclusively
used for the manufacture of arms and ammunition.
An Imperial Edict has been issued on the 25th August, forbidding said importation for a term of two years. New Edicts may be issued
subsequently extending this by other successive terms of two years in case of necessity recognized by the Powers.
Article 6
By an Imperial Edict dated the 29th May, 1901, His Majesty the Emperor of China agreed to pay the Powers an indemnity
of 450,000,000 of Haikwan taels.
This sum represents the total amount of the indemnities for States, Companies, or Societies, private individuals and Chinese,
referred to in Article 6 of the note of the 22nd December, 1900.
1) These 450,000,000 constitute a gold debt calculated at the rate of the Haikwan tael to the gold currency of each country,
as indicated below:—
Haikwan tael =
Marks 3.055
Austro-Hungary crown 3.595
Gold dollar 0.743
Francs 3.740
£ sterling 3s.
Yen 1.407
Netherlands florin 1.796
Gold rouble (17.434 dolias fine) 1.412
This sum in gold shall shall bear interest at 4 per cent. per annum, and the capital shall be reimbursed by China in
thirty-nine years in the manner indicated in the annexed plan of amortization. Capital and interest shall be payable in gold or at the
rates of exchange corresponding to the dates at which the different payments fall due.
The amortization shall commence the 1st January, 1902, and shall finish at the end of the year 1940. The amortizations are payable
annually, the first payment being fixed on the 1st January, 1903.
Interest shall run from the 1st July, 1901, but the Chinese Government shall have the right to pay off within a term of three years,
beginning January 1902, the arrears of the first six months ending the 31st December, 1901, on condition, however, that it pays compound
interest at the rate of 4 per cent. a year on the sums the payment of which shall have been thus deferred.
Interest shall be payable semi-annually, the first payment being fixed on the 1st July, 1902.
2) The service of the debt shall take place in Shanghai in the following manner:—
Each Power shall be represented by a Delegate on a Commission of bankers authorized to receive the amount of interest and
amortization which shall be paid to it by the Chinese authorities designated for that purpose, to divide it among the interested parties,
and to give a receipt for the same.
3) The Chinese Government shall deliver to the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps at Peking a bond for the lump sum, which shall
subsequently be converted into fractional bonds bearing the signature of the Delegates of the Chinese Government designated for that
purpose. This operation and all those relating to issuing of the bonds shall be performed by the above-mentioned Commission, in
accordance with the instructions which the Powers shall send their Delegates.
4) The proceeds of the revenues assigned to the payment of the bonds shall be paid monthly to the Commission.
5) The revenues assigned as security for the bonds are the following:—
a) The balance of the revenues of the Imperial Maritime Customs, after payment of the interest and
amortization of preceding loans secured on these revenues, plus the proceeds of the raising to 5 per cent. effective of the present
tariff of maritime imports, including articles until now on the free list, but exempting rice, foreign cereals, and flour, gold and
silver bullion and coin.
b) The revenues of the native Customs, administered in the open ports by the Imperial Maritime Customs.
c) The total revenues of the salt gabelle, exclusive of the fraction previously set aside for other foreign loans.
6) The raising of the present tariff on imports to 5 per cent. effective is agreed to on the conditions mentioned below. It
shall be put in force two months after the signing of the present Protocol, and no exceptions shall be made except for merchandize in
transit not more than ten days after the said signing.
a) All duties levied on imports ad valorem shall be converted as far as possible and as soon as may be
into specific duties.
This conversion shall be made in the following manner:—
The average value of merchandize at the time of their landing during the three years 1897, 1898, and 1899, that is to say, the market
price less the amount of import duties and incidental expenses, shall be taken as the basis for the valuation of merchandize.
Pending the result of the work of conversion, duties shall be levied ad valorem.
b) The beds of the Rivers Whangpoo and Peiho shall be improved with the financial participation of China.
Article 7
The Chinese Government has agreed that the quarter occupied by the Legations shall be considered as one specially reserved for
their use and placed under their exclusive control, in which Chinese shall not have the right to reside, and which may be made defensible.
The limits of this quarter have been fixed as follows on the annexed plan.
● On the east, Ketteler Street (10, 11, 12).
● On the north, the line, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
● On the west, the line 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
● On the south, the line 12—1, drawn along the exterior base of the tartar wall, and following the line of the bastions.
In the Protocol annexed to the letter of the 16th January, 1901, China recognized the right of each Power to maintain a permanent
guard in the said quarter for the defence of its Legation.
Article 8
The Chinese Government has consented to raze the forts of Taku, and those which might impede free communication between Peking
and the sea. Steps have been taken for carrying this out.
Article 9
The Chinese Government conceded the right to the Powers in the Protocol annexed to the letter of the 16th January, 1901, to occupy
certain points, to be determined by an Agreement between them for the maintenance of open communication between the capital and the
sea. The points occupied by the Powers are:—
Huang-tsun, Lang-fang, Yang-tsun, Tien-tsin, Chun-liang-Cheng, Tong-ku, Lu-tai, Tong-shan, Lan-chou, Chang-li, Chin-wang Tao, Shan-hai Kuan.
Article 10
The Chinese Government has agreed to post and to have published during two years in all district cities the following Imperial Edicts:—
1) Edict of the ist February, 1901, prohibiting for ever under pain of death, membership in any anti-foreign society.
2) Edicts of the 13th and 21st February, 29th April and 19th August, 1901, enumerating the punishments inflicted on the guilty.
3) Edict of the 19th August, 1901, prohibiting examinations in all cities where foreigners were massacred or subjected to cruel treatment.
4) Edicts of the ist February, 1901, declaring all Governors-General, Governors, and provincial or local officials responsible for order
in their respective districts, and that in case of new anti-foreign troubles or other infractions of the Treaties which shall not be immediately
repressed and the authors of which shall not have been punished, these officials shall be immediately dismissed without possibility of being
given new functions or new honours.
The posting of these Edicts is being carried on throughout the Empire.
Article 11
The Chinese Government has agreed to negotiate the amendments deemed necessary by the foreign Governments to the Treaties
of Commerce and Navigation and the other subjects concerning commercial relations with the object of facilitating them.
At present, and as a result of the stipulation contained in Article 6 concerning the indemnity, the Chinese Government agrees to
assist in the improvement of the courses of the Rivers Peiho and Whang-poo, as stated below.—
1) The works for the improvement of the navigability of the Peiho, begun in 1898 with the co-operation of the Chinese Government,
have been resumed under the direction of an International Commission. As soon as the Administration of Tien-tsin shall have been handed back to
the Chinese Government it will be in a position to be represented on this Commission, and will pay each year a sum of 60,000 Haikwan taels
for maintaining the works.
2) A Conservancy Board, charged with the management and control of the works for straightening the Whangpoo and the improvement of
the course of that river, is hereby created.
The Board shall consist of members representing the interests of the Chinese Government and those of foreigners in the shipping trade
of Shanghai.
The expenses incurred for the works and the general management of the undertaking are estimated at the annual sum of 460,000 Haikwan
taels for the first twenty years. This sum shall be supplied in equal portions by the Chinese Government and the foreign interests concerned.
Article 12
An Imperial Edict of the 24th July, 1901, reformed the Office of Foreign Affairs, Tsung-li Yamen, on the lines indicated by the Powers,
that is to say, transformed it into a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wai Wu Pu, which takes precedence over the six other Ministries of State; the same
Edict appointed the principal Members of this Ministry.
An agreement has also been reached concerning the modification of Court ceremonial as regards the reception of foreign Representatives,
and has been the subject of several notes from the Chinese Plenipotentiaries, the substance of which is embodied in a Memorandum herewith
annexed.
Finally, it is expressly understood that as regards the declarations specified above and the annexed documents originating with the
foreign Plenipotentiaries, the French text only is authoritative.
The Chinese Government having thus complied to the satisfaction of the Powers with the conditions laid down in the above-mentioned
note of the 22nd December, 1900, the Powers have agreed to accede to the wish of China to terminate the situation created by the disorders
of the summer of 1900. In consequence thereof, the foreign Plenipotentiaries are authorized to declare in the names of their Governments that,
with the exception of the Legation guards mentioned in Article VII, the international troops will completely evacuate the city of Peking on the
17th September, 1901, and, with the exception of the localities mentioned in Article IX, will withdraw from the Province of Chihli on the 22nd
September, 1901.
The present final Protocol has been drawn up in twelve identical copies, and signed by all the Plenipotentiaries of the contracting countries.
One copy shall be given to each of the foreign Plenipotentiaries, and one copy shall be given to the Chinese Plenipotentiaries.
The Emperor of Japan on the one part, and the Emperor of all the Russias, on the other part, animated by a desire
to restore the blessings of peace, have resolved to conclude a treaty of peace, and have for this purpose named their
Plenipotentiaries, that is to say, for his Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Baron Komura Jutaro, Jusami, Grand Cordon of
the Imperial Order of the Rising Sun, his Minister for Foreign Affairs, and his Excellency Takahira Kogoro, Imperial Order
of the Sacred Treasure, his Minister to the United States, and his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, his Excellency
Sergius Witte, his Secretary of State and President of the Committee of Ministers of the Empire of Russia, and his Excellency
Baron Roman Rosen, Master of the Imperial Court of Russia, his Majesty's Ambassador to the United States, who, after having
exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in good and due form, and concluded the following articles:
Article 1
There shall henceforth be peace and amity between their Majesties the Emperor of Japan and the Emperor of all the Russias,
and between their respective States and subjects.
Article 2
The Imperial Russian Government, acknowledging that Japan possesses in Korea paramount political, military and economical
interests engages neither to obstruct nor interfere with measures for guidance, protection and control which the Imperial Government
of Japan may find necessary to take in Korea. It is understood that Russian subjects in Korea shall be treated in exactly the same
manner as the subjects and citizens of other foreign Powers; that is to say, they shall be placed on the same footing as the subjects
and citizens of the most favoured nation. It is also agreed that, in order to avoid causes of misunderstanding, the two high contracting
parties will abstain on the Russian-Korean frontier from taking any military measure which may menace the security of Russian or
Korean territory.
Article 3
Japan and Russia mutually engage:
First. — To evacuate completely and simultaneously Manchuria, except the territory affected by the lease of
the Liaotung Peninsula, in conformity with the provisions of the additional article I annexed to this treaty, and,
Second. — To restore entirely and completely to the exclusive administration of China all portions of Manchuria
now in occupation, or under the control of the Japanese or Russian troops, with the exception of the territory above mentioned.
The Imperial Government of Russia declares that it has not in Manchuria any territorial advantages or preferential or exclusive
concessions in the impairment of Chinese sovereignty, or inconsistent with the principle of equal opportunity.
Article 4
Japan and Russia reciprocally engage not to obstruct any general measures common to all countries which China may take for the
development of the commerce or industry of Manchuria.
Article 5
The Imperial Russian Government transfers and assigns to the Imperial Government of Japan, with the consent of the Government
of China, the lease of Port Arthur, Talien and the adjacent territorial waters, and all rights, privileges and concessions connected
with or forming part of such lease, and it also transfers and assigns to the Imperial Government of Japan all public works and
properties in the territory affected by the above-mentioned lease.
The two contracting parties mutually engage to obtain the consent of the Chinese Government mentioned in the foregoing
stipulation.
The Imperial Government of Japan, on its part, undertakes that the proprietary rights of Russian subjects in the territory
above referred to shall be perfectly respected.
Article 6
The Imperial Russian Government engages to transfer and assign to the Imperial Government of Japan, without compensation and
with the consent of the Chinese Government, the railway between Chang-chunfu and Kuanchangtsu and Port Arthur, and all the branches,
together with all the rights, privileges and properties appertaining thereto in that region, as well as all the coal mines in said
region belonging to or worked for the benefit of the railway. The two high contracting parties mutually engage to obtain the consent
of the Government of China mentioned in the foregoing stipulation.
Article 7
Japan and Russia engage to exploit their respective railways in Manchuria exclusively for commercial and industrial purposes and
nowise for strategic purposes. It is understood that this restrictiction does not apply to the railway in the territory affected by
the lease of the Liaotung Peninsula.
Article 8
The Imperial Governments of Japan and Russia with the view to promote and facilitate intercourse and traffic will as soon as
possible conclude a separate convention for the regulation of their connecting railway services in Manchuria.
Article 9
The Imperial Russian Government cedes to the Imperial Government of Japan in perpetuity and full sovereignty the southern portion
of the Island of Saghalin and all the islands adjacent thereto and the public works and properties thereon. The fiftieth degree of
north latitude is adopted as the northern boundary of the ceded territory. The exact alignment of such territory shall be determined
in accordance with the provisions of the additional article II annexed to this treaty.
Japan and Russia mutually agree not to construct in their respective possessions on the Island of Saghalin or the adjacent
islands any fortification or other similar military works. They also respectively engage not to take any military measures which
may impede the free navigation of the Strait of La Perouse and the Strait of Tartary.
Article 10
It is reserved to Russian subjects, inhabitants of the territory ceded to Japan, to sell their real property and retire to
their country, but if they prefer to remain in the ceded territory they will be maintained protected in the full exercise of their
industries and rights of property on condition of submitting to the Japanese laws and jurisdiction. Japan shall have full liberty
to withdraw the right of residence in or to deport from such territory of any inhabitants who labor under political or administrative
disability. She engages, however, that the proprietary rights of such inhabitants shall be fully respected.
Article 11
Russia engages to arrange with Japan for granting to Japanese subjects rights of fishery along the coasts of the Russian
possession in the Japan, Okhotsk and Bering Seas.
It is agreed that the foregoing engagement shall not affect rights already belonging to Russian or foreign subjects in those
regions.
Article 12
The treaty of commerce and navigation between Japan and Russia having been annulled by the war the Imperial Governments of Japan
and Russia engage to adopt as a basis for their commercial relations pending the conclusion of a new treaty of commerce and navigation
the basis of the treaty which was in force previous to the present war, the system of reciprocal treatment on the footing of the most
favoured nation, in which are included import and export duties, customs formalities, transit and tonnage dues and the admission and
treatment of agents, subjects and vessels of one country in the territories of the other.
Article 13
As soon as possible after the present treaty comes in force all prisoners of war shall be reciprocally restored. The Imperial
Governments of Japan and Russia shall each appoint a special commissioner to take charge of the prisoners. All prisoners in the hands
of one Government shall be delivered to and be received by the commissioner of the other Government or by his duly authorized
representative in such convenient numbers and at such convenient ports of the delivering State as such delivering State shall
notify in advance to the commissioner of the receiving State.
The Governments of Japan and Russia shall present each other as soon as possible after the delivery of the prisoners is completed
with a statement of the direct expenditures respectively incurred by them for the care and maintenance of the prisoner from the date
of capture or surrender and up to the time of death or delivery. Russia engages to repay as soon as possible after the exchange of
statement as above provided the difference between the actual amount so expended by Japan and the actual amount similarly disbursed
by Russia.
Article 14
The present treaty shall be ratified by their Majesties the Emperor of Japan and the Emperor of all the Russias. Such ratification
shall be with as little delay as possible, and in any case no later than fifty days from the date of the signature of the treaty, to
be announced to the Imperial Governments of Japan and Russia respectively through the French Minister at Tokio and the Ambassador of
the United States at St. Petersburg, and from the date of the latter of such announcements shall in all its parts come into full
force. The formal exchange of ratifications shall take place at Washington as soon as possible.
Article 15
The present treaty shall be signed in duplicate in both the English and French languages. The texts are in absolute conformity,
but in case of a discrepancy in the interpretation the French text shall prevail.
Sub-Articles
In conformity with the provisions of articles 3 and 9 of the treaty of the peace between Japan and Russia of this date the
undersigned plenipotentiaries have concluded the following additional articles:
SUB-ARTICLE TO ARTICLE 3
The Imperial Governments of Japan and Russia mutually engage to commence the withdrawal of their military forces from the
territory of Manchuria simultaneously and immediately after the treaty of peace comes into operation, and within a period of eighteen
months after that date the armies of the two countries shall be completely withdrawn from Manchuria, except from the leased territory
of the Liaotung Peninsula. The forces of the two countries occupying the front positions shall first be withdrawn.
The high contracting parties reserve to themselves the right to maintain guards to protect their respective railway lines in
Manchuria. The number of such guards shall not exceed fifteen per kilometre and within that maximum number the commanders of the
Japanese and Russian armies shall by common accord fix the number of such guards to be employed as small as possible while having
in view the actual requirements.
The commanders of the Japanese and Russian forces in Manchuria shall agree upon the details of the evacuation in conformity with
the above principles and shall take by common accord the measures necessary to carry out the evacuation as soon as possible, and in
any case not later than the period of eighteen months.
SUB-ARTICLE TO ARTICLE 9
As soon as possible after the present treaty comes into force a committee of delimitation composed of an equal number of members
is to be appointed by the two high contracting parties which shall on the spot mark in a permanent manner the exact boundary between
the Japanese and Russian possessions on the Island of Saghalin. The commission shall be bound so far as topographical considerations
permit to follow the fiftieth parallel of north latitude as the boundary line, and in case any deflections from that line at any
points are found to be necessary compensation will be made by correlative deflections at other points. It shall also be the duty of
the said commission to prepare a list and a description of the adjacent islands included in the cession, and finally the commission
shall prepare and sign maps showing the boundaries of the ceded territory. The work of the commission shall be subject to the approval
of the high contracting parties.
The foregoing additional articles are to be considered ratified with the ratification of the treaty of peace to which they are
annexed.
In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed and affixed seals to the present treaty of peace.
Done at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this fifth day of the ninth month of the thirty-eighth year of the Meiji, corresponding
to the twenty-third day of August, one thousand nine hundred and five (September 5, 1905).
The Japanese Government and the Chinese Government, being desirous to maintain the general peace in
the Far East and to strengthen the relations of amity and good neighbourhood existing between the two countries,
agree to the following articles:
Article 1
The Chinese Government engage to give full assent to all matters that the Japanese government may
hereafter agree with the German Government respecting the disposition of all the rights, interests and concessions,
which, in virtue of treaties or otherwise, Germany possesses vis-à-vis China in relation to the province
of Shantung.
Article 2
The Chinese Government engage that, within the province of Shantung or along its coast, no territory
or island will be ceded or leased to any other Power, under any pretext whatever.
Article 3
The Chinese Government agree to Japan's building a railway connecting Chefoo or Lungkow with the
Kiaochou Tsinanfu Railway.
Article 4
The Chinese Government engage to open of their own accord, as soon as possible, certain important cities
and towns in the Province of Shantung for the residence and commerce of foreigners. The places to be so opened shall be
decided upon in a separate agreement.
Group II
The Japanese Government and the Chinese Government, in view of the fact that the Chinese Government has always
recognized the predominant position of Japan in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia, agree to the following articles:
Article 1
The two contracting Parties mutually agree that the term of the lease of Port Arthur and Dairen and the term
respecting the South Manchuria Railway and the Antung-Mukden Railway shall be extended to a further period of 99 years respectively.
Article 2
The Japanese subjects shall be permitted in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia to lease or own land
required either for erecting buildings for various commercial and industrial uses or for farming.
Article 3
The Japanese subjects shall have liberty to enter, reside, and travel in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia,
and to carry on business of various kinds commercial, industrial, and otherwise.
Article 4
The Chinese Government grant to the Japanese subjects the right of mining in South Manchuria and Eastern
Inner Mongolia. As regards the mines to be worked, they shall be decided upon in a separate agreement.
Article 5
The Chinese Government agree that the consent of the Japanese Government shall be obtained in advance: (1)
whenever it is proposed to grant to other nationals the right of constructing a railway or to obtain from other nationals the
supply of funds for constructing a railway in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia, and (2) whenever a loan is to be made
with any other Power, under security of the taxes of South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia.
Article 6
The Chinese Government engage that whenever the Chinese Government need the service of political, financial, or
military advisers or instructors in South Manchuria or in Eastern Inner Mongolia, Japan shall first be consulted.
Article 7
The Chinese Government agree that the control and management of the Kirin-Chungchun Railway shall be handed over
to Japan for a term of 99 years dating from the signing of this treaty.
Group III
The Japanese Government and the Chinese Government, having regard to the close relations existing between Japanese capitalists
and the Han-Yeh-Ping Company and desiring to promote the common interests of the two nations, agree to the following articles:
Article 1
The two Contracting Parties mutually agree that when the opportune moment arrives the Han-Yeh-Ping Company shall be
made a joint concern of the two nations, and that, without the consent of the Japanese Government, the Chinese Government shall not
dispose or permit the Company to dispose of any right or property of the Company.
Article 2
The Chinese Government engage that, as a necessary measure for protection of the invested interests of Japanese
capitalists, no mines in the neighbourhood of those owned by the Han-Yeh-Ping Company shall be permitted, without the consent of the
said Company, to be worked by anyone other than the Said Company; and further that whenever it is proposed to take any other measure
which may likely affect the interests of the said Company directly or indirectly, the consent of the said Company shall first be
obtained.
Group IV
The Japanese Government and the Chinese Government, with the object of effectively preserving the territorial
integrity of China, agree to the following article:
Article 1
The Chinese Government engage not to cede or lease to any other Power any harbour or bay on or any island along
the coast of China.
Group V
Article 1
The Chinese Central Government to engage influential Japanese as political, financial, and military advisers.
Article 2
The Chinese Government to grant the Japanese hospitals, temples, and schools in the interior of China the right
to own land.
Article 3
In the face of many police disputes which have hitherto arisen between Japan and China, causing no little annoyance
the police in localities (in China), where such arrangement: are necessary, to be placed under joint Japanese and Chinese administration,
or Japanese to be employed in police office in such localities, so as to help at the same time the improvement of the Chinese Police
Service.
Article 4
China to obtain from Japan supply of a certain quantity of arms, or to establish an arsenal in China under joint
Japanese and Chinese management and to be supplied with experts and materials from Japan.
Article 5
In order to help the development of the Nanchang-Kiukiang Railway, with which Japanese capitalists are so closely
identified, and with due regard to the negotiations which have been pending between Japan and China in relation to the railway question
in South China, China to agree to give to Japan the right of constructing a railway to connect Wuchang with the Kiukiang-Nanchang
and Hangchou and between Nanchang and Chaochou.
Article 6
In view of the relations between the Province of Fukien and Formosa and of the Agreement respecting the
non-alienation of that province, Japan to be consulted first whenever foreign capital is needed in connection with the railways,
mines, and harbour works (including dockyards) in the Province of Fukien.
Article 7
China to grant to Japanese subjects the right of preaching in China.
In Japanese the Twenty-One Demands are called Taika Nijūikkajō Yōkyū
対華二十一ヵ条要求.
Negotiations between Japan and China’s Yuan Shikai administration in the aftermath of the Twenty-One Demands resulted
in an agreement which did not include the demands in Group 5, signed on May 25, 1915 under the name "Sino-Japanese Agreement"
(Zhong Ri xinyue 中日新約) aka "Treaties of the Fourth Year of the Republic" (min si tiaoyue 民四條約), comprising
the "Treaty Respecting the Province of Shandong" (guanyu Shandong zhi tiaoyue 關於山東之條約),
the "Treaty Respecting Southern Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia" (guanyu nan Manzhou ji dongbu Neimenggu zhi tiaoyue
關於南滿洲及東部內蒙古之條約),
the "Exchange of Notes Respecting the Matter of Hanyehping" (guanyu Hanyeping shixiang zhi huanwen 關於漢冶萍事項之換文),
the "Exchange of Notes Respecting the Restoration of the Leased Territory of Jiaozhou Bay" (guanyu jiaohuan Jiaoao zhi huanwen
關於交還膠澳之換文), and
the "Exchange of Notes Respecting the Fujian Question" (guanyu Fujian shixiang zhi huanwen
關於福建事項之換文).
Part IV: German rights and interests outside Germany
[...]
Section II. China
Article 128
Germany renounces in favour of China all benefits and privileges resulting from the provisions of the final Protocol signed
at Peking on September 7, 1901, and from all annexes, notes and documents supplementary thereto. She likewise renounces in favour
of China any claim to indemnities accruing thereunder subsequent to March 14, 1917.
Article 129
From the coming into force of the present Treaty the High Contracting Parties shall apply, in so far as concerns them respectively:
1. The Arrangement of August 29, 1902, regarding the new Chinese customs tariff;
2. The Arrangement of September 27, 1905, regarding Whang-Poo (黄浦), and the provisional supplementary arrangement
of April 4, 1912. China, however, will no longer be bound to grant to Germany the advantages or privileges which she allowed Germany
under these Arrangements.
Article 130
Subject to the provisions of Section VIII of this Part, Germany cedes to China all the buildings, wharves and pontoons, barracks,
forts, arms and munitions of war, vessels of all kinds, wireless telegraphy installations and other public property belonging to
the German Government, which are situated or may be in the German Concessions at Tientsin (天津) and Hankow (漢口) or elsewhere
in Chinese territory. It is understood, however, that premises used as diplomatic or consular residences or offices are not included
in the above cession, and, furthermore, that no steps shall be taken by the Chinese Government to dispose of the German public and
private property situated within the so-called Legation Quarter (東交民巷) at Peking (北京) without the consent of the Diplomatic
Representatives of the Powers which, on the coming into force of the present Treaty, remain Parties to the Final Protocol of September
7, 1901.
Article 131
Germany undertakes to restore to China within twelve months from the coming into force of the present Treaty all the astronomical
instruments which her troops in 1900-1901 carried away from China, and to defray all expenses which may be incurred in effecting such
restoration, including the expenses of dismounting, packing, transporting, insurance and installation in Peking.
Article 132
Germany agrees to the abrogation of the leases from the Chinese Government under which the German Concessions at Hankow and Tientsin
are now held. China, restored to the full exercise of her sovereign rights in the above areas, declares her intention of opening them to
international residence and trade. She further declares that the abrogation of the leases under which these concessions are now held shall
not affect the property rights of nationals of Allied and Associated Powers who are holders of lots in these concessions.
Article 133
Germany waives all claims against the Chinese Government or against any Allied or Associated Government arising out of the internment
of German nationals in China and their repatriation. She equally renounces all claims arising out of the capture and condemnation of German
ships in China, or the liquidation, sequestration or control of German properties, rights and interests in that country since August 14,
1917. This provision, however, shall not affect the rights of the parties interested in the proceeds of any such liquidation, which shall
be governed by the provisions of Part X (Economic Clauses) of the present Treaty.
Article 134
Germany renounces in favour of the Government of His Britannic Majesty the German State property in the British Concession
at Shameen (沙面) at Canton (廣州). She renounces in favour of the French and Chinese Governments conjointly the property of
the German school situated in the French Concession at Shanghai (上海).
[...]
Section VIII. Shantung
Article 156
Germany renounces, in favour of Japan, all her rights, title and privileges particularly those concerning the territory of
Kiaochow (膠州), railways, mines and submarine cables which she acquired in virtue of the Treaty concluded by her with China on
March 6 1898, and of all other arrangements relative to the Province of Shantung (山東). All German rights in the Tsingtao-Tsinanfu
Railway (膠濟鐵路), including its branch lines together with its subsidiary property of all kinds, stations, shops, fixed and rolling
stock, mines, plant and material for the exploitation of the mines, are and remain acquired by Japan, together with all rights and
privileges attaching thereto. The German State submarine cables from Tsingtao (青島) to Shanghai and from Tsingtao to Chefoo (芝罘),
with all the rights, privileges and properties attaching thereto, are similarly acquired by Japan, free and clear of all charges and
encumbrances.
Article 157
The movable and immovable property owned by the German State in the territory of Kiaochow, as well as all the rights which Germany
might claim in consequence of the works or improvements made or of the expenses incurred by her, directly or indirectly, in connection
with this territory, are and remain acquired by Japan, free and clear of all charges and encumbrances.
Article 158
Germany shall hand over to Japan within three months from the coming into force of the present Treaty the archives, registers,
plans, title-deeds and documents of every kind, wherever they may be, relating to the administration, whether civil, military, financial,
judicial or other, of the territory of Kiaochow. Within the same period Germany shall give particulars to Japan of all treaties, arrangements
or agreements relating to the rights, title or privileges referred to in the two preceding Articles.
The Treaty of Versailles (in French: Traité de Versailles, in Chinese: Fanersai tiaoyue 凡爾賽條約 or
Fanersai heyue 凡爾賽和約, in Japanese Verusaiyu Jōyaku ヴェルサイユ条約)
was signed on June 28, 1919 during the Paris Peace Conference which took place between Jan. 18, 1919 and Jan. 21, 1920. Members
of the Chinese delegation included Lou Tseng-tsiang 陸徵祥, Wellington Koo 顧維鈞, Thomas Wang 王正廷, Alfred Sao-ke Sze
施肇基, Wei Chen-zu 魏宸組, and Tsao Ju-lin 曹汝霖, leading members of the large Japanese delegation were Marquess Saionji
Kinmochi 西園寺 公望, Baron Makino Nobuaki 牧野 伸顕, Viscount Chinda Sutemi 珍田 捨巳, Matsui Keishirō 松井 慶四郎,
and Ijuin Hikokichi 伊集院 彦吉. Signatories were the German Reich, the Allied Powers (France, the British Empire, Italy, Japan, and the United States) and other countries including Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba,
Czechoslovakia, Ecuador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hejaz (= today's Saudi Arabia), Honduras, Liberia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Siam (= today's Thailand), Uruguay, and Yugoslavia as as well as Australia, Canada, South Africa,
India, and New Zealand as part of the British Empire. China's representatives refused to sign the treaty because many former
German concessions in China were not returned but handed to Japan instead.
Signed at Montevideo, 26 December 1933 Entered into Force, 26 December 1934 Article 8 reaffirmed by Protocol, 23 December 1936
Convention on the Rights and Duties of States
This treaty was signed at the International Conference of American States in Montevideo, Uruguay
on December 26, 1933. It entered into force on December 26, 1934. The treaty discusses the definition
and rights of statehood.
The Governments represented in the Seventh International Conference of American States:
Wishing to conclude a Convention on Rights and Duties of States, have appointed the following Plenipotentiaries:
Honduras: MIGUEL PAZ BARAONA; AUGUSTO C. COELLO; LUIS BOGRAN
United States of America: CORDELL HULL; ALEXANDER W. WEDDELL; J. REUBEN CLARK; J. BUTLER WRIGHT;
SPRUILLE BRADEN; Miss SOPHONISBA P. BRECKINRIDGE
El Salvador: HECTOR DAVID CASTRO; ARTURO RAMON AVILA; J. CIPRIANO CASTRO
Dominican Republic: TULIO M. CESTERO
Haiti: JUSTIN BARAU; FRANCIS SALGADO; ANTOINE PIERRE-PAUL; EDMOND MANGONES
Argentina: CARLOS SAAVEDRA LAMAS; JUAN F. CAFFERATA; RAMON S. CASTILLO; CARLOS BREBBIA;
ISIDORO RUIZ MORENO; LUIS A. PODESTA COSTA; RAUL PREBISCH; DANIEL ANTOKOLETZ
Venezuela: CESAR ZUMETA; LUIS CHURTON; JOSE RAFAEL MONTTLLA
Uruguay: ALBERTO MANE; JUAN JOSE AMEZAGA; JOSE G. ANTUNA; JUAN CARLOS BLANCO;
Senora SOFIA A. V. DE DEMICHELI; MARTIN R. ECHEGOYEN; LUIS ALBERTO DE HERRERA; PEDRO MANINI RIOS;
MATEO MARQUES CASTRO; RODOLFO MEZZERA; OCTAVIO MORAT; LUIS MORQUIO; TEOFILO PINEYRO CHAIN;
DARDO REGULES; JOSE SERRATO; JOSE PEDRO VARELA
Paraguay: JUSTO PASTOR BENITEZ; GERONIMO RIART; HORACIO A. FERNANDEZ; Senorita MARIA F. GONZALEZ
Mexico: JOSE MANUEL PUIG CASAURANC; ALFONSO REYES; BASILIO VADILLO; GENARO V. VASQUEZ;
ROMEO ORTEGA; MANUEL J. SIERRA; EDUARDO SUAREZ
Panama: J. D. AROSEMENA; EDUARDO E. HOLGUIN; OSCAR R. MULLER; MAGIN PONS
Bolivia: CASTO ROJAS; DAVID ALVESTEGUI; ARTURO PINTO ESCALIER
Guatemala: ALFREDO SKINNER KLEE; JOSE GONZALEZ CAMPO; CARLOS SALAZAR; MANUEL ARROYO
Brazil: AFRANIO DE MELLO FRANCO; LUCILLO A DA CUNHA BUENO; FRANCISCO LUIS DA SILVA CAMPOS;
GILBERTO AMADO; CARLOS CHAGAS; SAMUEL RIBEIRO
Ecuador: AUGUSTO AGUIRRE APARICIO; HUMBERTO ALBORNOZ; ANTONIO PARRA; CARLOS PUIG VILASSAR;
ARTURO SCARONE
Nicaragua: LEONARDO ARGUELLO; MANUEL CORDERO REYES; CARLOS CUADRA PASOS
Colombia: ALFONSO LOPEZ; RAIMUNDO RIVAS; JOSE CAMACEO CARRENO
Chile: MIGUEL CRUCHAGA TOCORNAL; OCTAVIO SENORET SILVA; GUSTAVO RIVERA; JOSE RAMON GUTIERREZ;
FELIX NIETO DEL RIO; FRANCISCO FIGUEROA SANCHEZ; BENJAMIN COHEN
Peru: ALFREDO SOLE Y MURO; FELIPE BARREDA LAOS; LUIS FERNAN CISNEROS
Cuba: ANGEL ALBERTO GIRAUDY; HERMINIO PORTELL VILA; ALFREDO NOGUEIRA
Who, after having exhibited their Full Powers, which were found to be in good and due order, have agreed upon the following:
Article 1
The state as a person of international law should possess the following qualifications: a) a permanent population;
b) a defined territory; c) government; and d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states.
Article 2
The federal state shall constitute a sole person in the eyes of international law.
Article 3
The political existence of the state is independent of recognition by the other states. Even before recognition the state has
the right to defend its integrity and independence, to provide for its conservation and prosperity, and consequently to organize
itself as it sees fit, to legislate upon its interests, administer its services, and to define the jurisdiction and competence of
its courts.
The exercise of these rights has no other limitation than the exercise of the rights of other states according to
international law.
Article 4
States are juridically equal, enjoy the same rights, and have equal capacity in their exercise. The rights of each one do not
depend upon the power which it possesses to assure its exercise, but upon the simple fact of its existence as a person under international
law.
Article 5
The fundamental rights of states are not susceptible of being affected in any manner whatsoever.
Article 6
The recognition of a state merely signifies that the state which recognizes it accepts the personality of the other with all the
rights and duties determined by international law. Recognition is unconditional and irrevocable.
Article 7
The recognition of a state may be express or tacit. The latter results from any act which implies the intention of recognizing
the new state.
Article 8
No state has the right to intervene in the internal or external affairs of another.
Article 9
The jurisdiction of states within the limits of national territory applies to all the inhabitants.
Nationals and foreigners are under the same protection of the law and the national authorities and the foreigners may
not claim rights other or more extensive than those of the nationals.
Article 10
The primary interest of states is the conservation of peace. Differences of any nature which arise between them should be settled
by recognized pacific methods.
Article 11
The contracting states definitely establish as the rule of their conduct the precise obligation not to recognize territorial
acquisitions or special advantages which have been obtained by force whether this consists in the employment of arms, in threatening
diplomatic representations, or in any other effective coercive measure. The territory of a state is inviolable and may not be the object
of military occupation nor of other measures of force imposed by another state directly or indirectly or for any motive whatever even
temporarily.
Article 12
The present Convention shall not affect obligations previously entered into by the High Contracting Parties by virtue of
international agreements.
Article 13
The present Convention shall be ratified by the High Contracting Parties in conformity with their respective constitutional
procedures. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uruguay shall transmit authentic certified copies to the governments
for the aforementioned purpose of ratification. The instrument of ratification shall be deposited in the archives of the Pan American
Union in Washington, which shall notify the signatory governments of said deposit. Such notification shall be considered as an exchange
of ratifications.
Article 14
The present Convention will enter into force between the High Contracting Parties in the order in which they deposit their
respective ratifications.
Article 15
The present Convention shall remain in force indefinitely but may be denounced by means of one year's notice given to the
Pan American Union, which shall transmit it to the other signatory governments. After the expiration of this period the Convention
shall cease in its effects as regards the party which denounces but shall remain in effect for the remaining High Contracting Parties.
Article 16
The present Convention shall be open for the adherence and accession of the States which are not signatories. The corresponding
instruments shall be deposited in the archives of the Pan American Union which shall communicate them to the other High Contracting Parties.
In witness whereof, the following Plenipotentiaries have signed this Convention in Spanish, English, Portuguese and French
and hereunto affix their respective seals in the city of Montevideo, Republic of Uruguay, this 26th day of December, 1933.
Reservations
The Delegation of the United States of America, in signing the Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, does so with the
express reservation presented to the Plenary Session of the Conference on December 22, 1933, which reservation reads as follows:
The Delegation of the United States, in voting "yes" on the final vote on this committee recommendation and proposal, makes the
same reservation to the eleven articles of the project or proposal that the United States Delegation made to the first ten articles during
the final vote in the full Commission, which reservation is in words as follows:
"The policy and attitude of the United States Government toward every important phase of international relationships in this
hemisphere could scarcely be made more clear and definite than they have been made by both word and action especially since
March 4. I [Secretary of State Cordell Hull, chairman of U.S. delegation] have no disposition therefore to indulge in any repetition or
rehearsal of these acts and utterances and shall not do so. Every observing person must by this time thoroughly understand that under
the Roosevelt Administration the United States Government is as much opposed as any other government to interference with the freedom,
the sovereignty, or other internal affairs or processes of the governments of other nations.
"In addition to numerous acts and utterances in connection with the carrying out of these doctrines and policies, President Roosevelt,
during recent weeks, gave out a public statement expressing his disposition to open negotiations with the Cuban Government for the purpose
of dealing with the treaty which has existed since 1903. I feel safe in undertaking to say that under our support of the general principle of
non-intervention as has been suggested, no government need fear any intervention on the part of the United States under the Roosevelt
Administration. I think it unfortunate that during the brief period of this Conference there is apparently not time within which to prepare
interpretations and definitions of these fundamental terms that are embraced in the report. Such definitions and interpretations would
enable every government to proceed in a uniform way without any difference of opinion or of interpretations. I hope that at the earliest
possible date such very important work will be done. In the meantime in case of differences of interpretations and also until they (the
proposed doctrines and principles) can be worked out and codified for the common use of every government, I desire to say that the
United States Government in all of its international associations and relationships and conduct will follow scrupulously the doctrines and
policies which it has pursued since March 4 which are embodied in the different addresses of President Roosevelt since that time and in
the recent peace address of myself on the 15th day of December before this Conference and in the law of nations as generally recognized
and accepted".
The delegates of Brazil and Peru recorded the following private vote with regard to article 11: "That they accept the doctrine in principle
but that they do not consider it codifiable because there are some countries which have not yet signed the Anti-War Pact of Rio de Janeiro 4
of which this doctrine is a part and therefore it does not yet constitute positive international law suitable for codification".
Honduras: M. PAZ BARAONA; AUGUSTO C. COELLO; Luls BOGRXN
United States of America: ALEXANDER W. WEDDELL; J. BUTLER WRIGUT
El Salvador: HECTOR DAVID CASTRO; ARTURO R. AVILA
Dominican Republic: TULIO M. CESTERO
Haiti: J. BARAU; F. SALGADO; EDMOND MANGONES; A. PRRE. PAUL
Argentina: CARLOS SAAVEDRA LAMAS; JUAN F. CAFFERATA; RAMON S. CASTILLO; I. Rulz MORENO; L. A. PODESTA COSTA;
D. ANTOKOLETZ
Venezuela: LUIS CHURION; J. R. MONTILLA
Uruguay: A. MANE; JOSE PEDRO VARELA; MATEO MARQuEs CASTRO; DARDO REGULES; SOFIA ALVAREZ VIGNOLI DE DEMICIIELI;
TEOFILO PINEYRO CHAIN; LUIS A. DE HERRERA; MARTIN R. EcnEcoYEN; JOSE G. ANTUNA; J. C. BLANCO; PEDRO MANINI RIOS;
RODOLFO MEZZERA; OCTAVTO MORATO; LUIS MOROQUIO; JOSE SERRATO
Paraguay: JUSTO PASTOR BENITEZ; MARIA F. GONZALEZ
Mexico: B. VADILLO; M. J. STERRA; EDUARDO SUAREZ
Panama: J. D. AROSEMENA; MAGIN PONS; EDUARDO E. HOLGUIN
Guatemala: M. ARROYO
Brazil: LUCILLO A. DA CUNHA BUENO; GILBERTO AMADO
Ecuador: A. AGUIRRE APARICIO; H. ALBORNOZ; ANTONIO PARRA V.; C. PUIG V.; ARTURO SCARONE
Nicaragua: LEONARDO ARGUELLO; M. CORDERO REYES; CARLOS CUADRA PASOS
Colombia: ALFONSO LOPEZ; RAIMUNDO RIVAS
Chile: MIGUEL CRUCHAGA; J. RAMON GUTIERREZ; F. FIGUEROA; F. NIETO DEL RIO; B. COHEN
Peru: (with the reservation set forth) ALFREDO SOLF Y MURO
Cuba: ALBERTO GIRAUDY; HERMINIO PORTELL VILA; ING. NOGUEIRA
Japan's national policy has always aimed at the domination of Asia and mastery of the Pacific. For more than four
years China has resolutely resisted Japan's aggression, regardless of suffering and sacrifice, in order not only to maintain her national
independence and freedom but also to uphold international law and justice and to promote world peace and human happiness.
China is a peace-loving nation. In taking up arms in self-defense, China entertained the hope that Japan might yet realise the futility
of her plans of conquest. Throughout the struggle all the other powers have shown the utmost forbearance likewise in the hope that Japan
might one day repent and mend her ways in the interest of peace in the entire Pacific region.
Unfortunately Japan's aggressive capacities prove to be incorrigible. After her long and fruitless attempt to conquer China, Japan, far
from showing any signs of penitence, has treacherously launched an attack on China's friends, the United States and Great Britain, thus
extending the theater of her aggressive activities and making herself the arch-enemy of justice and world peace.
This latest act of aggression on the part of Japan lays bare her insatiable ambitions and has created a situation that no nation which
believes in international good faith and human decency can tolerate.
The Chinese Government hereby formally declares war on Japan. The Chinese Government further declares that all treaties, conventions,
agreements and contracts regarding relations between China and Japan are and remain null and void.
(Subscribing to the Principles of the Atlantic Charter, January 1, 1942)
A Joint Declaration by the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Union
of Soviet Socialist Republics, China, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador,
Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, South Africa,
Yugoslavia.
The Governments signatory hereto,
Having subscribed to a common program of purposes and principles embodied in the Joint Declaration of the President of United States
of America and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland dated August 14, 1941, known as the Atlantic
Charter.
Being convinced that complete victory over their enemies is essential to defend life, liberty, independence and religious freedom, and
to preserve human rights and justice in their own lands as well as in other lands, and that they are now engaged in a common struggle against
savage and brutal forces seeking to subjugate the world,
DECLARE:
(1) Each Government pledges itself to employ its full resources, military or economic, against those members of the Tripartite Pact and
its adherents with which such government is at war.
(2) Each Government pledges itself to cooperate with the Governments signatory hereto and not to make a separate armistice or peace
with the enemies.
The foregoing declaration may be adhered to by other nations which are, or which may be, rendering material assistance and contributions
in the struggle for victory over Hitlerism.
DONE at Washington
January First, 1942
[The signatories to the Declaration by United Nations are as listed above.]
President Roosevelt, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and Prime Minister Mr. Churchill, together with their respective military
and diplomatic advisers, have completed a conference in North Africa. The following general statement was issued:
"The several military missions have agreed upon future military operations against Japan. The Three Great Allies expressed
their resolve to bring unrelenting pressure against their brutal enemies by sea, land, and air. This pressure is already rising.
"The Three Great Allies are fighting this war to restrain and punish the aggression of Japan. They covet no gain for themselves
and have no thought of territorial expansion. It is their purpose that Japan shall be stripped of all the islands in the Pacific which she
has seized or occupied since the beginning of the first World War in 1914, and that all the territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese,
such as Manchuria, Formosa, and The Pescadores, shall be restored to the Republic of China. Japan will also be expelled from all other
territories which she has taken by violence and greed. The aforesaid three great powers, mindful of the enslavement of the people of Korea,
are determined that in due course Korea shall become free and independent.
"With these objects in view the three Allies, in harmony with those of the United Nations at war with Japan, will continue to persevere
in the serious and prolonged operations necessary to procure the unconditional surrender of Japan."
The Cairo Conference was attended by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt,
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and ROC President Chiang Kai-shek 蔣介石 and took place Nov. 22–26, 1943.
The Cairo Declaration (also called "Cairo Communique") was not a treaty, was not signed, and was released via radio broadcast
on Dec. 1, 1943. It is called Kairo sengen カイロ宣言 in Japanese.
WHEREAS the future development of international civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world, yet its abuse can become a threat to the general security; and
WHEREAS it is desirable to avoid friction and to promote that cooperation between nations and peoples upon which the peace of the world depends;
THEREFORE, the undersigned governments having agreed on certain principles and arrangements in order that international civil aviation may be developed in a safe and orderly manner and that international air transport services may be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically;
Have accordingly concluded this Convention to that end.
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION
Article 1
Sovereignty
The contracting States recognize that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory.
Article 2
Territory
For the purposes of this Convention the territory of a State shall be deemed to be the land areas and territorial waters adjacent thereto under the sovereignty, suzerainty, protection or mandate of such State.
Article 3
Civil and state aircraft
(a) This Convention shall be applicable only to civil aircraft, and shall not be applicable to state aircraft. (b) Aircraft used in military, customs and police services shall be deemed to be state aircraft. (c) No state aircraft of a contracting State shall fly over the territory of another State or land thereon without authorization by special agreement or otherwise, and in accordance with the terms thereof. (d) The contracting States undertake, when issuing regulations for their state aircraft, that they will have due regard for the safety of navigation of civil aircraft.
Article 4
Misuse of civil aviation
Each contracting State agrees not to use civil aviation for any purpose inconsistent with the alms of this Convention.
CHAPTER II: FLIGHT OVER TERRITORY OF CONTRACTING STATES
Article 5
Right of non-scheduled flight
Each contracting State agrees that all aircraft of the other contracting States, being aircraft not engaged in scheduled international air services shall have the right, subject to the observance of the terms of this Convention, to make flights into or in transit nonstop across its territory and to make stops for non-traffic purposes without the necessity of obtaining prior permission, and subject to the right of the State flown over to require landing. Each contracting State nevertheless reserves the right, for reasons of safety of flight, to require aircraft desiring to proceed over regions which are inaccessible or without adequate air navigation facilities to follow prescribed routes, or to obtain special permission for such flights. Such aircraft, if engaged in the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail for remuneration or hire on other than scheduled international air services, shall also, subject to the provisions of Article 7, have the privilege of taking on or discharging passengers, cargo, or mail, subject to the right of any State where such embarkation or discharge takes place to impose such regulations, conditions or limitations as it may consider desirable.
Article 6
Scheduled air services
No scheduled international air service may be operated over or into the territory of a contracting State, except with the special permission or other authorization of that State, and in accordance with the terms of such permission or authorization.
Article 7
Cabotage
Each contracting State shall have the right to refuse permission to the aircraft of other contracting States to take on in its territory passengers, mail and cargo carried for remuneration or hire and destined for another point within its territory. Each contracting State undertakes not to enter into any arrangements which specifically grant any such privilege on an exclusive basis to any other State or an airline of any other State, and not to obtain any such exclusive privilege from any other State.
Article 8
Pilotless aircraft
No aircraft capable of being flown without a pilot shall be flown without a pilot over the territory of a contracting State without special authorization by that State and in accordance with the terms of such authorization. Each contracting State undertakes to insure that the flight of such aircraft without a pilot in regions open to civil aircraft shall be so controlled as to obviate danger to civil aircraft.
Article 9
Prohibited areas
(a) Each contracting State may, for reasons of military necessity or public safety, restrict or prohibit uniformly the aircraft of other States from flying over certain areas of its territory, provided that no distinction in this respect is made between the aircraft of the State whose territory ls involved, engaged in international scheduled airline services, and the aircraft of the other contracting States likewise engaged. Such prohibited areas shall be of reasonable extent and location so &s not to lnterfered unnecessarily with air navigation. Descriptions of such prohibited areas in the territory of a contracting State, as well as any subsequent alterations therein, shall be communicated as soon as possible to the other contracting States and to the International Civil Aviation Organization. (b) Each contracting State reserves also the right, in exceptional circumstances or during a period of emergency, or in the interest of public safety, and with immediate effect, temporarily to restrict or prohibit flying over the whole or any part of its territory, on condition that such restriction or prohibition shall be applicable without distinction of nationality to aircraft of all other States. (c) Each contracting State, under such regulations as it may prescribe, may require any aircraft entering the areas contemplated in subparagraphs (a) or (b) above to effect a landing as soon as practicable thereafter at some designated airport within its territory.
Article 10
Landing at customs airport
Except in a case where, under the terms of this Convention or a special authorization, aircraft are permitted to cross the territory of a contracting State without landing, every aircraft which enters the territory of a contracting State shall, if the regulations of that State so require, land at an airport designated by that State for the purpose of customs and other examination. On departure from the territory of a contracting State, such aircraft shall depart from a similarly designated customs airport. Particulars of all designated customs airports shall be published by the State and transmitted to the International Civil Aviation Organization established under Part II of this Convention for communication to all other contracting States.
Article 11
Applicability of air regulations
Subject to the provisions of this Convention, the laws and regulations of a contracting State relating to the admission to or departure from its territory of aircraft engaged in international air navigation, or to the operation and navigation of such aircraft while within its territory, shall be applied to the aircraft of all contracting States without distinction as to nationality, and shall be complied with by such aircraft upon entering or departing from or while within the territory of that State.
Article 12
Rules of the air
Each contracting State undertakes to adopt measures to insure that every aircraft flying over or maneuvering within its territory and that every aircraft carrying its nationality mark, wherever such aircraft may be, shall comply with the rules and regulations relating to the flight and maneuver of aircraft there in force. Each contracting State undertakes to keep its own regulations in these respects uniform, to the greatest possible extent, with those established from time to time under this Convention. Over the high seas, the rules in force shall be those established under this Convention. Each contracting State undertakes to insure the prosecution of all persons violating the regulations applicable.
Article 13
Entry and clearance regulations
The laws and regulations of a contracting State as to the admission to or departure from its territory of passengers, crew or cargo of aircraft, such as regulations relating to entry, clearance, immigration, passports, customs, and quarantine shall be complied with by or on behalf of such passengers, crew or cargo upon entrance into or departure from, or while within the territory of that State.
Article 14
Prevention of spread of disease
Each contracting State agrees to take effective measures to prevent the spread by means of air navigation of cholera, typhus (epidemic), smallpox, yellow fever, plague, and such other communicable diseases as the contracting States shall from time to time decide to designate, and to that end contracting States will keep in close consultation with the agencies concerned with international regulations relating to sanitary measures applicable to aircraft. Such consultation shall be without prejudice to the application of any existing international convention on this subject to which the contracting States may be parties.
Article 15
Airport and similar charges
Every airport in a contracting State which is open to public use by its national aircraft shall likewise, subject to the provisions of Article 68, be open under uniform conditions to the aircraft of all the other contracting States. The like uniform conditions shall apply to the use, by aircraft of every contracting State, of all air navigation facilities, including radio and meteorological services, which may be provided for public use for the safety and expedition of air navigation. Any charges that may be imposed or permitted to be imposed by a contracting State for the use of such airports and air navigation facilities by the aircraft of any other contracting State shall not be higher, (a) As to aircraft not engaged in scheduled international air services, than those that would be paid by its national aircraft of the same class engaged in similar operations, and (b) As to aircraft engaged in scheduled international air services, than those that would be paid by its national aircraft engaged in similar international air services. All such charges shall be published and communicated to the International Civil Aviation Organization: provided that, upon representation by an interested contracting State, the charges imposed for the use of airports and other facilities shall be subject to review by the Council, which shall report and make recommendations thereon for the consideration of the State or States concerned. No fees, dues or other charges shall be imposed by any contracting State in respect solely of the right of transit over or entry into or exit from its territory of any aircraft of a contracting State or persons or property thereon.
Article 16
Search of aircraft
The appropriate authorities of each of the contracting States shall have the right, without unreasonable delay, to search aircraft of the other contracting States on landing or departure, and to inspect the certificates and other documents prescribed by this Convention.
Aircraft have the nationality of the State in which they are registered.
Article 18
Dual registration
An aircraft cannot be validly registered in more than one State, but its registration may be changed from one State to another.
Article 19
National laws governing registration
The registration or transfer of registration of aircraft in any contracting State shall be made in accordance with its laws and regulations.
Article 20
Display of marks
Every aircraft engaged in international air navigation shall bear its appropriate nationality and registration marks.
Article 21
Report of registrations
Each contracting State undertakes to supply to any other contracting State or to the International Civil Aviation Organization, on demand, information concerning the registration and ownership of any particular aircraft registered in that State. In addition, each contracting State shall furnish reports To the International Civil Aviation Organization, under such regulations as the latter may prescribe, giving such pertinent date as can be made available concerning the ownership and control of aircraft registered in that State and habitually engaged in international air navigation. The data thus obtained by the International Civil Aviation Organization shall be made available by it on request to the other contracting States.
Each contracting State agrees to adopt all practicable measures, through the issuance of special regulations or otherwise, to facilitate and expedite navigation by aircraft between the territories of contracting States, and to prevent unnecessary delays to aircraft, crews, passengers and cargo, especially in the administration of the laws relating to immigration, quarantine, customs and clearance.
Article 23
Customs and immigration procedures
Each contracting State undertakes, so far as it may find practicable, to establish customs and immigration procedures affecting international air navigation in accordance with the practices which may be established or recommended from time to time, pursuant to this Convention. Nothing in this Convention shell be construed as preventing the establishment of customs-free airports.
Article 24
Customs duty
(a) Aircraft on a flight to, from, or across the territory of another contracting State shall be admitted temporarily free of duty, subject to the customs regulations of the State. Fuel, lubricating oils, spare parts, regular equipment and aircraft stores on board an aircraft of a contracting State, on arrival in the territory of another contracting State and retained on board on leaving the territory of that State shall be exempt from customs duty, inspection fees or similar national or local duties and charges. This exemption shall not apply to any quantities or articles unloaded, except in accordance with the customs regulations of the State, which may require that they shall be kept under customs supervision. (b) Spare parts and equipment imported into the territory of a contracting State for incorporation in or use on an aircraft of another contracting State engaged in international air navigation shall be admitted free of customs duty, subject to compliance with the regulations of the State concerned, which may provide that the articles shall be kept under customs supervision and control.
Article 25
Aircraft in distress
Each contracting State undertakes to provide such measures of assistance to aircraft in distress in its territory as it may find practicable, and to permit, subject to control by its own authorities, the owners of the aircraft or authorities of the State in which the aircraft is registered to provide such measures of assistance as may be necessitated by the circumstances. Each contracting State, when undertaking search for missing aircraft, will collaborate in coordinated measures which may be recommended from time to time pursuant to this Convention.
Article 26
Investigation of accidents
In the event of an accident to an aircraft of a contracting State occurring in the territory of another contracting State, and involving death or serious injury, or indicating serious technical defect in the aircraft or air navigation facilities, the State in which the accident occurs will institute an inquiry into the circumstances of the accident, in accordance, so far as its laws permit, with the procedure which may be recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The State in which the aircraft is registered shall be given the opportunity to appoint observers to be present at the inquiry and the State holding the inquiry shall communicate the report and findings in the matter to that State.
Article 27
Exemption from seizure on patent claims
(a) While engaged in international air navigation, any authorized entry of aircraft of a contracting State into the territory of another contracting State or authorized transit across the territory of such State with or without landings shall not entail any seizure or detention of the aircraft or any claim against the owner or operator thereof or any other interference therewith by or on behalf of such State or any person therein, on the ground that the construction, mechanism, parts, accessories or operation of the aircraft is an infringement of any patent, design, or model duly granted or registered in the State whose territory is entered by the aircraft, it being agreed that no deposit of security in connection with the foregoing exemption from seizure or detention of the aircraft shall in any case be required in the State entered by such aircraft. (b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this Article shall also be applicable to the storage of spare parts and spare equipment for the aircraft and the right to use and install the same in the repair of an aircraft of a contracting State in the territory of any other contracting State, provided that any patented part or equipment so stored shall not be sold or distributed internally in or exported commercially from the contracting State entered by the aircraft. (c) The benefits of this Article shall apply only to such States, parties to this Convention, as either (1) are parties to the International Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and to any amendments thereof; or (2) have enacted patent laws which recognize and give adequate protection to inventions made by the nationals of the other States parties to this Convention.
Article 28
Air navigation facilities and standard systems
Each contracting State undertakes, so far as it may find practicable, to: (a) Provide, in its territory, airports, radio services, meteorological services and other air navigation facilities to facilitate international air navigation, in accordance with the standards and practices recommended or established from time to time, pursuant to this Convention; (b) Adopt and put into operation the appropriate standard systems of communications procedure, codes, markings, signals, lighting and other operational practices and rules which may be recommended or established from time to time, pursuant to this Convention; (c) Collaborate in international measures to secure the publication of aeronautical maps and charts in accordance with standards which may be recommended or established from time to time, pursuant to this Convention.
CHAPTER V: CONDITIONS TO BE FULFILLED WITH RESPECT TO AIRCRAFT
Article 29
Documents carried in aircraft
Every aircraft of a contracting State, engaged in international navigation, shall carry the following documents in conformity with the conditions prescribed in this Convention: (a) Its certificate of registration; (b) Its certificate of airworthiness; (c) The appropriate licenses for each member of the crew; (d) Its journey log book; (e) If it is equipped with radio apparatus, the aircraft radio station license; (f) If it carries passengers, a list of their names and places of and destination; (g) If it carries cargo, a manifest and detailed declarations of the cargo.
Article 30
Aircraft radio equipment
(a) Aircraft of each contracting State may, in or over the territory of other contracting States, carry radio transmitting apparatus only if a license to install and operate such apparatus has been issued by the appropriate authorities of the State in which the aircraft is registered. The use of radio transmitting apparatus in the territory of the contracting State whose territory is flown over shall be in accordance with the regulations prescribed by that State. (b) Radio transmitting apparatus may be used only by members of the flight crew who are provided with a special license for the purpose, issued by the appropriate authorities of the State in which the aircraft is registered.
Article 31
Certificates of airworthiness
Every aircraft engaged in international navigation shall be provided with a certificate of airworthiness issued or rendered valid by the State in which it is registered.
Article 32
Licenses of personnel
(a) The pilot of every aircraft and the other members of the operating crew of every aircraft engaged in international navigation shall be provided with certificates of competency and licenses issued or rendered valid by the State in which the aircraft is registered. (b) Each contracting State reserves the right to refuse to recognize, for the purpose of flight above its own territory, certificates of competency and licenses granted to any of its nationals by another contracting State.
Article 33
Recognition of certificates and licenses
Certificates of airworthiness and certificates of competency and licenses issued or rendered valid by the contracting State in which the aircraft is registered, shall be recognized as valid by the other contracting States, provided that the requirements under which such certificates or licenses were issued or rendered valid are equal to or above the minimum standards which may be established from time to time pursuant to this Convention.
Article 34
Journey log books
There shall be maintained in respect of every aircraft engaged in international navigation a Journey log book in which shall be entered particulars of the aircraft, its crew and of each Journey, in such form as may be prescribed from time to time pursuant to this Convention.
Article 35
Cargo restrictions
(a) No munitions of war or implements of war may be carried in or above the territory of a State in aircraft engaged in international navigation, except by permission of such State. Each State shall determine by regulations what constitutes munitions of war or implements of war for the purposes of this Article, giving due consideration, for the purposes of uniformity, to such recommendations as the International Civil Aviation Organization may from time to time make. (b) Each contracting State reserves the right, for reasons of public-order and safety, to regulate or prohibit the carriage in or above its territory of articles other than those enumerated in paragraph (a): provided that no distinction is made in this respect between its national aircraft engaged in international navigation and the aircraft of the other States so engaged; and provided further that no restriction shell be imposed which may interfere with the carriage and use on aircraft of apparatus necessary for the operation or navigation of the aircraft or the safety of the personnel or passengers.
Article 36
Photographic apparatus
Each contracting State may prohibit or regulate the use of photographic apparatus in aircraft over its territory.
CHAPTER VI: INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
Article 37
Adoption of international procedures
Each contracting State undertakes to collaborate standards and 1in securing the highest practicable degree of uniformity in regulations, standards, procedures, and organization in relation to aircraft, personnel, airways and auxiliary services in all matters in which such uniformity will facilitate and improve air navigation. To this end the International Civil Aviation Organization shall adopt and amend from time to time, as may be necessary, international standards and recommended practices and procedures dealing with: (a) Communications systems and air navigation aids, including ground marking; (b) Characteristics of airports and landing strips; (c) Rules of the air and air traffic control practices; (d) Licensing of operating and mechanical personnel; (e) Airworthiness of aircraft; (f) Registration and identification of aircraft; (g) Collection and exchange of meteorological information; (h) Log books; (i) Aeronautical maps and charts; (j) Customs and immigration procedures; (k) Aircraft in distress and investigation of accidents; and such other matters concerned with the safety, regularity, and efficiency of air navigation as may from time to time appear appropriate.
Article 38
Departures from international standards and procedures
Any State which finds it impracticable to comply in all respects with any such international standard or procedure, or to bring its own regulations or practices into full accord with any international standard or procedure after amendment of the latter, or which deems it necessary to adopt regulations or practices differing in any particular respect from those established by an international standard, shall give immediate notification to the International Civil Aviation Organization of the differences between its own practice and that established by the international standard. In the case of amendments to international standards, any State which does not make the appropriate amendments to its own regulations or practices shall give notice to the Council within sixty days of the adoption of the amendment to the international standard, or indicate the action which it proposes to take. In any such case, the Council shall make immediate notification to all other states of the difference which exists between one or more features of an international standard and the corresponding national practice of that State.
Article 39
Endorsement of certificates and licenses
(a) Any aircraft or part thereof with respect to which there exists an 1ntérnational standard of airworthiness or performance, and which failed in any respect to satisfy that standard at the time of its certification, shall have endorsed on or attached to its airworthiness certificate a complete enumeration of the details in respect of which it so failed. (b) Any person holding a license who does not satisfy in full the conditions laid down in the international standard relating to the class of license or certificate which he holds shall have endorsed on or attached to his license a complete enumeration of the particulars in which he does not satisfy such conditions.
Article 40
Validity of endorsed certificates and licenses
No aircraft or personnel having certificates or licenses so endorsed shall participate in international navigation, except with the permission of the State or States whose territory is entered. The registration or use of any such aircraft, or of any certificated aircraft part, in any State other than that in which it was originally certificated shall be at the discretion of the State into which the aircraft or part is imported.
Article 41
Recognition of existing standards of airworthiness
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to aircraft and aircraft equipment of types of which the prototype is submitted to the appropriate national authorities for certification prior to a date three years after the date of adoption of an international standard of airworthiness for such equipment.
Article 42
Recognition of existing standards of competency
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to personnel whose licenses are originally issued of personnel prior to a date one year after initial adoption of an international standard of qualification for such personnel; but they shall in any case apply to all personnel whose licenses remain valid five years after the date of adoption of such standard.
An organization to be named the International Civil Aviation Organization is formed by the Convention. It is made up of an Assembly, a Council, and such other bodies as may be necessary.
Article 44
Objectives
The aims and objectives of the Organization are to develop the principles and techniques of international air navigation and to foster the planning and development of international air transport so as to: (a) Insure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation throughout the world; (b) Encourage the arts of aircraft design and operation for peaceful purposes; (c) Encourage the development of airways, airports, and air navigation facilities for international civil aviation; (d) Meet the needs of the peoples of the world for safe, regular, efficient and economical air transport; (e) Prevent economic waste caused by unreasonable competition; (f) Insure that the rights of contracting States are fully respected and that every contracting State has a fair opportunity to operate international airlines; (g) Avoid discrimination between contracting States; (h) Promote safety of flight in international air navigation; (i) Promote generally the development of all aspects of international civil aeronautics.
Article 45
Permanent seat
The permanent seat of the Organization shall be at such place as shall be determined at the final meeting of the Interim Assembly of the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization set up by the Interim Agreement on International Civil Aviation signed at Chicago on December 7, 1944. The seat may be temporarily transferred elsewhere by decision of the Council.
Article 46
First meeting of Assembly
The first meeting of the Assembly shall be summoned by the Interim Council of the above-mentioned Provisional Organization as soon as the Convention has come Into force, to meet at a time and place to be decided by the Interim Council.
Article 47
Legal capacity
The Organization shall enjoy in the territory of each contracting State such legal capacity as may be necessary for the performance of its functions. Full Juridical personality shall be granted wherever compatible with the constitution and laws of the State concerned.
(a) The Assembly shall meet annually and shall be convened by the Council at a suitable time and place. Extraordinary meetings of the Assembly may be held at any time upon the call of the Council or at the request of any ten contracting States addressed to the Secretary General. (b) All contracting States shall have an equal right to be represented at the meetings of the Assembly and each contracting State shall be entitled to one vote. Delegates representing contracting States may be assisted by technical advisers who may participate in the meetings but shall have no vote. (c) A majority of the contracting States is required to constitute a quorum for the meetings of the Assembly. Unless otherwise provided in this Convention, decisions of the Assembly shall be taken by a majority of the votes cast.
Article 49
Powers and duties of Assembly
The powers and duties of the Assembly shall be (a) Elect at each meeting its President and other officers; (b) Elect the contracting States to be represented on the Council, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter IX; (c) Examine and take appropriate action on the reports of the Council and decide on any matter referred to it by the Council; (d) its own rules of procedure and establish such subsidiary commissions as it may consider to be necessary or desirable; (e) Vote an annual budget and determine the financial arrangements of the Organization, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XII; (f) Review expenditures and approve the accounts of the Organization; (g) Refer, at its discretion, to the Council, to subsidiary commissions, or to any other body any matter within its sphere of action; (h) Delegate to the Council the powers and authority necessary or desirable for the discharge of the duties of the Organization and revoke or modify the delegations of authority at any time; (i) Carry out the appropriate provisions of Chapter XIII; (j) Consider proposals for the modification or amendment of the provisions of this Convention and, if of the proposals, recommend them to the contracting States in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XXI; (k) Deal with any matter within the sphere of action of the Organization not specifically assigned to the Council.
(a) The Council shall be a permanent body responsible to the Assembly. It shall be composed of twentyone contracting States elected by the Assembly. An election shall be held at the first meeting of the Assembly and thereafter every three years, and the members of the Council so elected shall hold office until the next following election. (b) In electing the members of the Council, the Assembly shall give adequate representation to (1) the States of chief importance in air transport; (2) the States not otherwise included which make the largest contribution to the provision of facilities for international civil air navigation; and (3) the States not otherwise included whose designation will insure that all the major geographic areas of the world are represented on the Council. Any vacancy on the Council shall be filled by the as soon as possible; any contracting State so elected to the Council shall hold office for the unexpired portion of its predecessor's term of office. (c) No representative of a contracting State on the Council shall be actively associated with the operation of an international air service or financially interested in such a service.
Article 51
President of Council
The Council shall elect its President for a term of three years. He may be reelected. He shall have no vote. The Council shall elect from among its members one or more Vice Presidents who shall retain their right to vote when serving as acting President. The President need not be selected from among the representatives of the members of the Council but, if a representative is elected, his seat shall be deemed vacant and it shall be filled by the State which he represented. The dutles of the President shall be; to: (a) Convene meetings of the Council, the Air Transport Committee, and the Air Navigation Commission; (b) Serve as representative of the Council; and (c) Carry out on behalf of the Council the functions which the Council assigns to him.
Article 52
Voting in Council
Decisions by the Council shall require approval by a majority of its members. The Council may delegate authority with respect to any particular matter to a committee of its members., Decisions of any committee of the Council may be appealed to the Council by any interested contracting State.
Article 53
Participation without a vote
Any contracting State may participate, without a vote, in the consideration by the Council and by its committees and commissions of any question which especially affects its interests. No member of the Council shell vote in the consideration by the of a dispute to which it is a party.
Article 54
Mandatory functions of Council
The Council shall: (a) Submit annual reports to the Assembly; (b) Carry out the directions of the Assembly and discharge the duties and obligations which are laid on it by this Convention; (c) Determine its organization and rules of procedure; (d) Appoint and define the duties of an Air Transport Committee, which shall be chosen from among the representatives of the members of the Council, and which shall be responsible to it; (e) Establish an Air Navigation Commission, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter X; (f) Administer the finances of the Organization in accordance with the provisions of Chapters XII end XV; (g) Determine the emoluments of the President of the Council; (h) Appoint a chief executive officer who shall be called the Secretary General, and make provision for the appointment of such other personnel as may be necessary, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XI; (i) Request, collect, examine and publish information relating to the advancement of air navigation and the operation of international air services, including information about the costs of operation and particulars of subsidies paid to airlines from public funds; (j) Report to contracting States any infraction of this Convention, as well as any failure to carry out recommendations or determinations of the Council; (k) Report to the Assembly any infraction of this Convention where a contracting State has failed to take appropriate action within a reasonable time after notice of the infraction; (l) Adopt, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter VI of this Convention, international standards and recommended practices; for convenience, designate them as Annexes to this Convention; and notify all contracting States of the action taken; (m) Consider recommendations of the Air Navigation Commission for amendment of the Annexes and take action in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XX; (n) Consider any matter relating to the Convention which any contracting State refers to it.
Article 55
Permissive functions of Council
The Council may: (a) Where appropriate and as experience may show to be desirable, create subordinate air transport commissions on a regional or other basis and define groups of states or airlines with or through which it may deal to facilitate the carrying out of the alms of this Convention; (b) Delegate to the Air Navigation Commission duties additional to those set forth in the Convention and revoke or modify such delegations of authority at any time; (c) Conduct research into all aspects of air transport and air navigation which are of international importance, communicate the results of its research to the contracting States, and facilitate the exchange of information between contracting States on air transport and air navigation matters; (d) Study any matters affecting the organization and operation of international air transport, including the international ownership and operation of international air services on trunk routes, and submit to the Assembly plans in relation thereto; (e) Investigate, at the request of any contracting State, any situation which may appear to present avoidable obstacles to the development of international air navigation; and, after such investigation, issue such reports as may appear to it desirable.
The Air Navigation Commission shall be composed of twelve members appointed by the Council from among persons nominated by contracting States. These persons shall have suitable qualifications and experience in the science and practice of aeronautics. The Council shall request all contracting States to submit nominations. The President of the Air Navigation Commission shall be appointed by the Council.
Article 57
Duties of Commission
The Air Navigation Commission shall: (a) Consider, and recommend to the Council for adoption, modifications of the Annexes to this Convention; (b) Establish technical subcommissions on which any contracting State may be represented, if it so desires; (c) Advise the Council concerning the collection and communication to the contracting States of all information which it considers necessary and useful for the advancement of air navigation.
Subject to any rules laid down by the Assembly and to the provisions of this Convention, the Council shall determine the method of appointment and of termination of appointment, the training, and the salaries, allowances, and conditions of service of the Secretary General and other personnel of the Organization, and may employ or make use of the services of nationals of any contracting State.
Article 59
International character of personnel
The President of the Council, the Secretary General, and other personnel shall not seek or receive instructions in regard to the discharge of their responsibilities from any authority external to the Organization. Each contracting State undertakes fully to respect the international character of the responsibilities of the personnel and not to seek to influence any of its nationals in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Article 60
Immunities and privileges of personnel
Each contracting State undertakes, so far as possible under its constitutional procedure, to accord to the President of the Council, the Secretary General, and the other personnel of the Organization, the immunities and privileges which are accorded to corresponding personnel of other public international organizations. If a general international agreement on the immunities and privileges of international civil servants is arrived at, the immunities and privileges accorded to the President, the Secretary General, and the other personnel of the Organization shall be the immunities and privileges accorded under that general international agreement.
The Council shall submit to the Assembly an annual budget, annual statements of accounts and estimates of all receipts and expenditures. The Assembly shall vote the budget with whatever modification it sees fit to prescribe, and, with the exception of assessments under Chapter XV to States consenting thereto, shall apportion the expenses of the Organization among the contracting States on the basis which it shall from time to time determine.
Article 62
Suspension of voting power
The Assembly may suspend the voting power in the Assembly and in the Council of any contracting State that falls to discharge within a reasonable period its financial obligations to the Organization.
Article 63
Expenses of delegations and other representatives
Each contracting State shall bear the expenses of its own delegation to the Assembly and the remuneration, travel, and other expenses of any person whom it appoints to serve on the Council, and of its nominees or representatives on any subsidiary committees or commissions of the Organization.
The Organization may, with respect to air matters within its competence directly affecting world security, by vote of the Assembly enter into appropriate arrangements with any general organization set up by the nations of the world to preserve peace.
Article 65
Arrangements with other international bodies
The Council, on behalf of the Organization, may enter into agreements with other international bodies for the maintenance of common services and for common arrangements concerning personnel and, with the approval of the Assembly, may enter into such other arrangements as may facilitate the work of the Organization.
Article 66
Functions relating to other agreements
(a) The Organization shall also carry out the functions placed upon it by the International Air Services Transit Agreement and by the International Air Transport Agreement drawn up at Chicago on December 7, 1944, in accordance with the terms and conditions therein set forth. (b) Members of the Assembly and the Council who have not accepted the International Air Services Transit Agreement or the International Air Transport Agreement drawn up at Chicago on December 7, 1944 shall not have the right to vote on any questions referred to the Assembly or Council under the provisions of the relevant Agreement.
Each contracting State undertakes that its international airlines shall, in accordance with requirements laid down by the Council, file with the Council traffic reports, cost statistics and financial statements showing among other things all receipts and the sources thereof.
CHAPTER XV: AIRPORTS AND OTHER AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES
Article 68
Designation of routes and airports
Each contracting State may, subject to the provisions of this Convention, designate the route to be followed within its territory by any international air service and the airports which any such service may use.
Article 69
Improvement of air navigation facilities
If the Council is of the opinion that the airports or other air navigation facilities, including radio and meteorological services, of a contracting State are not reasonably adequate for the safe, regular, efficient, and economical operation of international air services, present or contemplated, the Council shall consult with the State directly concerned, and other States affected, with a view to finding means by which the situation may be remedied, and may make recommendations for that purpose. No contracting State shall be guilty of an infraction of this Convention if it falls to carry out these recommendations.
Article 70
Financing of air navigation facilities
A contracting State, in the circumstances arising under the provisions of Article 69, may conclude in arrangement with the Council for giving effect to such recommendations, The State may elect to bear all of the costs involved in any such arrangement. If the State does not so elect, the Council may agree, at the request of the State, to provide for all or a portion of the costs.
Article 71
Provision and maintenance of facilities by Council
If a contracting State so requests, the Council may agree to provide, man, maintain, and administer any or all of the airports and other air navigation facilities, including radio and meteorological services, required in its territory for the safe, regular, efficient and economical operation of the international air services of the other contracting States, and may specify just and reasonable charges for the use of the facilities provided.
Article 72
Acquisition or use of land
Where land is needed for facilities financed in whole or in part by the Council at the request of a contracting State, that State shall either provide the land itself, retaining title if it wishes, or facilitate the use of the land by the Council on Just and reasonable terms and in accordance with the laws of the State concerned.
Article 73
Expenditure and assessment of funds
Within the limit of the funds which may be made available to it by the Assembly under Chapter XII, the Council may make current expenditures for the purposes of this Chapter from the general funds of the Organization. The Council shell assess the capital funds required for the purposes of this Chapter in previously agreed proportions over a reasonable period of time to the contracting States consenting thereto whose airlines use the facilities. The Council may also assess to States that consent any working funds that are required.
Article 74
Technical assistance and utilization of revenues
When the Council, at the request of a contracting State, advances funds or provides airports or other facilities in whole or in part, the arrangement may provide, with the consent of that State, for technical assistance in the supervision and operation of the airports and other facilities, and for the payment, from the revenues derived from the operation of the airports and other facilities, of the operating expenses of the airports and the other facilities, and of interest and amortization charges.
Article 75
Taking over of facilities from Council
A contracting State may at any time discharge any obligation into which it has entered under Article 70, and take over airports and other facilities which the Council has provided in its territory pursuant to the provisions of Articles 71 and 72, by paying to the Council an amount which in the opinion of the Council is reasonable in the circumstances. If the State considers that the amount fixed by the Council is unreasonable it may appear to the Assembly against the decision of the Council and the Assembly may confirm or amend the decision of the Council.
Article 76
Return of funds
Funds obtained by the Council through reimbursement under Article 75 and from receipts of interest and amortization payments under Article 74 shall, in the case of advances originally financed by States under Article 73, be returned to the States which were originally assessed in the proportion of their assessments, so determined by the Council.
CHAPTER XVI: JOINT OPERATING ORGANIZATIONS AND POOLED SERVICES
Article 77
Joint operating organizations permitted
Nothing in this Convention shall prevent two or more contracting states from constituting joint air transport operating organizations or international operating agencies and from pooling their air services on any routes or in any regions, but such organizations or agencies and such pooled services shall be subject to all the provisions of this Convention, including those relating to the registration of agreements with the Council. The Council shall determine in what manner the provisions of this Convention relating to nationality of aircraft shall apply to aircraft operated by international operating agencies.
Article 78
Function of Council
The Council may suggest to contracting States concerned that they form joint organizations to operate air services on any routes or in any regions.
Article 79
Participation in operating organizations
A State may participate in joint operating organizations or in pooling arrangements, either through its government or through an airline company or companies designated by its government. The companies may, at the sole discretion of the State concerned, be state-owned or partly state-owned or privately owned.
CHAPTER XVII: OTHER AERONAUTICAL AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS
Article 80
Paris and Habana Conventions
Each contracting State undertakes, immediately upon the coming into force of this Convention, to give notice of denunciation of the Convention relating to the Regulation of Aerial Navigation signed at Paris on October 13, 1919 or the Convention on Commercial Aviation signed at Habana on February 20, 1928, if it is a party to either. As between contracting States, this Convention supersedes the Conventions of Paris and Habana previously referred to.
Article 81
Registration of existing agreements
All aeronautical agreements which are in existence on the coming into force of this Convention, and which are between a contracting State and any other State or between an airline of a contracting State and any other State or the airline of any other State, shall be forthwith registered with the Council.
Article 82
Abrogation of inconsistent arrangements
The contracting States accept this Convention as abrogating all obligations and understandings between them which are inconsistent with its terms, and undertake not to enter into any such obligations and understandings. A contracting State which, before becoming a member of the Organization has undertaken any obligations toward a non-contracting State or a national of a contracting State or of a non-contracting State inconsistent with the terms of this Convention, shall take immediate steps to procure its release from the obligations. If an airline of any contracting State has entered into any such inconsistent obligations, the State of which it is a national shall use its best efforts to secure their termination forthwith and shall in any event cause them to be terminated as soon as such action can lawfully be taken after the coming into force of this Convention.
Article 83
Registration of new arrangements
Subject to the provisions of the preceding Article, any contracting State may make arrangements not inconsistent with the provisions of this Convention. Any such arrangement shall be forthwith registered with the Council, which shall make it public as soon as possible.
If any disagreement between two or more contracting States relating to the interpretation or application of this Convention and its Annexes cannot be settled by negotiation, it shall, on the application of any State concerned in the disagreement, be decided by the Council. No member of the Council shall vote in the consideration by the Council of any dispute to which it is a party. Any contracting State may, subject to Article 85, appeal from the decision of the Council to an ad hoc arbitral tribunal agreed upon with the other parties to the dispute or to the Permanent Court of International Justice. Any such appeal shall be notified to the Council within sixty days of receipt of notification of the decision of the Council.
Article 85
Arbitration procedure
If any contracting State party to a dispute in which the decision of the Council is under appeal has not accepted the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice and the contracting States parties to the dispute cannot agree on the choice of the arbitral tribunal, each of the contracting States parties to the dispute shall name a single arbitrator who sshall name an umpire. If either contracting State party to the dispute falls to name an arbitrator within a period of three months from the date of the appeal, an arbitrator shall be named on behalf of that State by the President of the Council from a list of qualified and available persons maintained by the Council. If, within thirty days, the arbitrators cannot agree on an umpire, the President of the Council shall designate an umpire from the list previously referred to. The arbitrators and the umpire shall then Jointly constitute an arbitral tribunal. Any arbitral tribunal established under this or the preceding Article shall settle its own procedure and give its decisions by majority vote, provided that the Council may determine procedural questions in the event of any delay which in the opinion of the Council is excessive.
Article 86
Appeals
Unless the Council decides otherwise, any decision by the Council on whether an international airline is operating in conformity with the provisions of this Convention shall remain in effect unless reversed on appeal. On any other matter, decisions of the Council shall, if appealed from, be suspended until the appeal is decided. The decisions of the Permanent Court of International Justice and of an arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding.
Article 87
Penalty for non-conformity of airline
Each contracting State undertakes not to allow the operation of an airline of a contracting State through the airspace above its territory if the Council has decided that the airline concerned is not conforming to a final decision rendered in accordance with the previous Article.
Article 88
Penalty for non-conformity by State
The Assembly shall suspend the voting power in the Assembly and in the Council of any contracting State that is found in default under the provisions of this Chapter.
In case of war, the provisions of this Convention shall not affect the freedom of action of any of the contracting States affected, whether as belligerents or as neutrals, The same principle shall apply in the case of any contracting State which declares a state of national emergency and notifies the fact to the Council.
(a) The adoption by the Council of the Annexes described in Article 54, subparagraph (1), shall require the vote of two-thirds of the Council at a meeting called for that purpose and shall then be submitted by the Council to each contracting State. Any such Annex or any amendment of an Annex shall become effective within three months after its submission to the contracting States or at the end of such longer period of time as the Council may prescribe, unless in the meantime a majority of the contracting States register their disapproval with the Council. (b) The Council shall immediately notify all contracting States of the coming into force of any Annex or amendment thereto.
CHAPTER XXI: RATIFICATIONS, ADHERENCES, AMENDMENTS, AND DENUNCIATIONS
Article 91
Ratification of Convention
(a) This Convention shall be subject to ratification by the signatory States. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the United States of America, which shall give notice of the date of the deposit to each of the signatory and adhering States. (b) As soon as this Convention has been ratified or adhered to by twenty-six States it shall come into force between them on the thirtieth day after deposit of the twenty-sixth instrument. It shall come into force for each State ratifying thereafter on the thirtieth day after the deposit of its instrument of ratification. (c) It shall be the duty of the Government of the United States of America to notify the government of each of the signatory and adhering States of the date on which this Convention comes into force.
Article 92
Adherence to Convention
(a) This Convention shall be open for adherence by members of the United Nations and States associated with them, and States which remained neutral during the present world conflict. (b) Adherence shall be effected by a notification addressed to the Government of the United States of America and shall take effect as from the thirtieth day from the receipt of the notification by the Government of the United States of America, which shall notify all the contracting States.
Article 93
Admission of other States
States other than those provided for in Articles 91 and 92(a) may, subject to approval by any general international organization set up by the nations of the world to preserve peace, be admitted to participation in this Convention by means of a four-fifths vote of the Assembly and on such conditions as the Assembly may prescribe: provided that in each case the assent of any State invaded or attacked during the present war by the State seeking admission shall be necessary.
Article 94
Amendment of Convention
(a) Any proposed amendment to this Convention must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Assembly and shall then come into force in respect of States which have ratified such amendment when ratified by the number of contracting States specified by the Assembly., The number so specified shall not be less than two-thirds of the total number of contracting States. (b) If in its opinion the amendment is of such a nature as to Justify this course, the Assembly in its resolution recommending adoption may provide that any State which has not ratified within a specified period after the amendment has come into force shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Organization and a party to the Convention.
Article 95
Denunciation of Convention
(a) Any contracting State may give notice of denunciation of this Conventlon three years after its coming into effect by notification addressed to the Government of the United States of America, which shall at once inform each of the contracting States. (b) Denunciation shall take effect one year from the date of the receipt of the notification and shall operate only as regards the State effecting the denunciation.
For the purpose of this Convention the expression: (a) "Air service" means any scheduled air service performed by aircraft for the public transport of passengers, mail or cargo. (b) "International air service" means an air service which passes through the air space over the territory of more than one State. (c) "Airline" means any air transport enterprise offering or operating an international air service. (d) "Stop for non-traffic purposes" means a landing for any purpose other than taking on or discharging passengers, cargo or mail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned plenipotentiaries, having been duly authorized, sign this Convention on behalf of their respective governments on the dates appearing opposite their signatures.
DONE at Chicago the seventh day of December 1944, in the English language. A text drawn up in the English, French, and Spanish languages, each of which shall be of equal authenticity, shall be open for signature at Washington, D. C. Both texts shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the United States of America, and certified copies shall be transmitted by that Government to the governments of all the States which may sign or adhere to this Convention.
FOR AFGHANISTAN:
A. Hosayn AZIZ
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA:
Arthur S. DRAKEFORD
FOR BELGIUM:
Vicomte du PARC
FOR BOLIVIA:
Alfredo PACHECO
FOR BRAZIL:
Fernando LOBO
FOR CANADA:
Herbert James SYMINGTON
FOR CHILE:
Rafael SÁENZ Gregorio BISQUERT Raúl MAGALLANES BARROS
FOR CHINA:
CHANG Kia-ngau 張嘉璈
FOR COLOMBIA:
Gonzalo RESTREPO JARAMILLO
FOR COSTA RICA:
Francisco de P. GUTIÉRREZ ROSS
FOR CUBA:
Guillermo BELT RAMÍREZ
FOR CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
Vladimír Ladislav Dionýz Svetozárov HURBAN
FOR DENMARK :
Henrik KAUFFMANN
FOR THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:
Charles A. MCLAUGHLIN
FOR ECUADOR:
José Antonio CORREA ESCOBAR Francisco GÓMEZ JURADO
FOR EGYPT:
Mahmoud HASSAN Mohamed ROUSHDY Mohamed A. KHALIFA
FOR EL SALVADOR:
Felipe VEGA GÓMEZ
FOR ETHIOPIA:
Leul Ras IMRU Haile Selassie
FOR FRANCE:
Max HYMANS Claude LEBEL André BOURGES Pierre LOCUSSOL
FOR GREECE:
Demetrios T. Noti BOTZARIS Alexander J. ARGYROPOULOS
FOR GUATEMALA:
Oscar MORALES LÓPEZ
FOR HAITI:
G. Edouard ROY
FOR HONDURAS:
Emilio P. LEFEBVRE
FOR ICELAND:
Thor THORS
FOR INDIA:
Gurunath V. BEWOOR
FOR IRAN:
Mohammed SHAYESTEH
FOR IRAQ:
Ali JAWDAT
FOR IRELAND:
Robert BRENNAN John LEYDON John J. HEARNE Timothy J. O'DRISCOLL
FOR LEBANON:
Camille CHAMOUN Faouzi EL-HOSS
FOR LIBERIA:
Walter F. WALKER
FOR LUXEMBOURG:
Hugues LE GALLAIS
FOR MEXICO:
Pedro A. CHAPA
FOR THE NETHERLANDS:
F. H. COPES van HASSELT F. C. ARONSTEIN
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND:
Daniel Giles SULLIVAN
FOR NICARAGUA:
Richard E. FRIZELL
FOR NORWAY:
Wilhelm Munthe de MORGENSTIERNE
FOR PANAMA:
The Delegation of the Republic of Panama signs this Convention ad referendum, and subject to the following
reservations: 1. Because of its strategic position and responsibility in the protection of the means of communication
in its territory, which are of the utmost importance to world trade, and vital to the defense of the Western Hemisphere, the Republic
of Panama reserves the right to take, with respect to all flights through the air space above territory, all measures which in its judgment
may be proper for its own security or the protection of said means of communication. 2. The Republic of Panama understands
that the technical annexes to which reference is made in the Convention constitute recommendations only, and not binding obligations.
FOR PARAGUAY:
Celso Ramon VELÁZQUEZ
FOR PERU:
Armando REVOREDO José S. KOECHLIN Luis ALVARADO Federico ELGUERA Guillermo VAN OORDT LEÓN
FOR THE PHILIPPINE COMMONWEALTH:
Jaime HERNÁNDEZ Urbano Alviar ZAFRA Joseph H. FOLEY
FOR POLAND:
Zbyslaw CIOLKOSZ Dr. Henryk J. GÓRECKI Stefan J. KONORSKI Witold A. URBANOWICZ Ludwik H. GOTTLIEB
FOR PORTUGAL:
Mario de FIGUEREDO Alfredo DELESQUE DOS SANTOS CINTRA Duarte CALHIEROS Vasco VIEIRA GARIN
FOR THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA:
Douglas David FORSYTH
FOR SPAIN:
Esteban TERRADAS Germán BARAIBAR Duarte CALHEIROS
FOR SWEDEN:
Ragnar KUMLIN
FOR SWITZERLAND:
Charles BRUGGMANN
FOR SYRIA:
Noureddeen KAHALE
FOR THAILAND:
Mom Rajawongse SENI PRAMOJ
FOR TURKEY:
Sükrü KOCAK Ferruh SAHINBAS Orhan H. EROL
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND:
Philip CUNLIFFE-LISTER (1st Earl of SWINTON)
FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
Adolf A. BERLE Jr. Alfred L. BULWINKLE Charles A. WOLVERTON Fiorello H. LaGUARDIA Edward WARNER Lloyd Welch POGUE William A. M. BURDEN
The Convention on International Civil Aviation was called guoji minyong hangkong gongyue 國際民用航空公約
or Zhijiage gongyue 芝加哥公約 in Chinese. It went into effect on April 4, 1947, the same day the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was established.
The Convention was signed at the end of the International Civil Aviation Conference which took place from Nov. 1
to Dec. 7, 1944 in Chicago (USA). The table below lists the 55 countries invited to attend the conference plus the US
as host country.
Afghanistan
Australia
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Czechoslovakia
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Ethiopia
France
Greece
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Iceland
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Lebanon
Liberia
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Norway Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Saudi Arabia South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Thailand
Turkey
UK
Uruguay USA
USSR
Venezuela
Yugoslavia
The official ICAO
website lists 52 countries sending delegations to the Chicago conference, and the Convention was signed by 54 countries. Most
of the invited countries sent delegates to the conference and signed the Convention, with the following exceptions:
No delegates sent by—Saudi Arabia, USSR (both did not sign)
No delegates listed by—Denmark, Thailand (both are listed as signatories)
No signatures by—Venezuela, Yugoslavia (both had sent delegates)
Additional explanatory remarks concerning the following countries:
Denmark: Henrik Kauffmann signed the Convention, but the official ICAO website does not list Danish delegates at the conference (invitation was extended to Denmark’s minister in Washington).
Panama: sent delegates—Carlos Icaza (chairman), Inocencio Galindo, Enrique Lefevre, and Narciso E. Garay. Panama was mentioned on the list of signatories (with reservations), but no member of the delegation actually signed with his name.
Saudi Arabia: was invited to the Chicago conference but sent no delegates, did not sign the Convention.
Soviet Union: was invited to the Chicago conference but sent no delegates, did not sign the Convention.
Thailand: Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj signed the Convention, but the official ICAO website does not list Thai delegates at the conference (invitation was extended to Thailand’s minister in Washington).
Venezuela: sent delegates—Juan de Dios Celis Paredes as (absent) chairman, Francisco J. Sucre as acting chairman, and Julio Bunco Ustáriz, but none of them signed the Convention.
Yugoslavia: sent delegates—Vladimir M. Vukmirovic as chairman, Nenad Dj. Mirosavljevic, and Predrag Sopalovic, but none of them signed the Convention.
The Chinese delegation consisted of chairman Chang Kia-ngau 張嘉璈 (1889-1979, Jiangsu), Liu Chieh 劉鍇 (1907-1991, Guangdong)
and Mow Pang-tsu 毛邦初 (1904-1987, Shanghai).
The Crimea Conference of the heads of the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which took place from Feb. 4 to 11, came to the following conclusions:
1. That a United Nations conference on the proposed world organization should be summoned for Wednesday, 25 April, 1945,
and should be held in the United States of America.
2. The nations to be invited to this conference should be:
(a) the United Nations as they existed on 8 Feb., 1945; and
(b) Such of the Associated Nations as have declared war on the common enemy by 1 March, 1945. (For this purpose, by the
term "Associated Nations" was meant the eight Associated Nations and Turkey.) When the Conference on world organization is held,
the delegates of the United Kingdom and United States of America will support a proposal to admit to original membership two
Soviet Socialist Republics, i.e., the Ukraine and White Russia.
3. That the United States Government, on behalf of the three powers, should consult the Government of China and the
French Provisional Government in regard to decisions taken at the present conference concerning the proposed world organization.
4. That the text of the invitation to be issued to all the nations which would take part in the United Nations conference
should be as follows:
"The Government of the United States of America, on behalf of itself and of the Governments of the United Kingdom, the Union
of Soviet Socialistic Republics and the Republic of China and of the Provisional Government of the French Republic invite the Government
of -------- to send representatives to a conference to be held on 25 April, 1945, or soon thereafter, at San Francisco, in the United States
of America, to prepare a charter for a general international organization for the maintenance of international peace and security.
"The above-named Governments suggest that the conference consider as affording a basis for such a Charter the proposals for the
establishment of a general international organization which were made public last October as a result of the Dumbarton Oaks conference
and which have now been supplemented by the following provisions for Section C of Chapter VI:
C. Voting
"1. Each member of the Security Council should have one vote.
"2. Decisions of the Security Council on procedural matters should be made by an affirmative vote of seven members.
"3. Decisions of the Security Council on all matters should be made by an affirmative vote of seven members, including the concurring
votes of the permanent members; provided that, in decisions under Chapter VIII, Section A and under the second sentence of Paragraph 1
of Chapter VIII, Section C, a party to a dispute should abstain from voting.'
"Further information as to arrangements will be transmitted subsequently.
"In the event that the Government of -------- desires in advance of the conference to present views or comments concerning the proposals,
the Government of the United States of America will be pleased to transmit such views and comments to the other participating Governments."
Territorial trusteeship:
It was agreed that the five nations which will have permanent seats on the Security Council should consult each other prior to the United
Nations conference on the question of territorial trusteeship.
The acceptance of this recommendation is subject to its being made clear that territorial trusteeship will only apply to
(a) existing mandates of the League of Nations;
(b) territories detached from the enemy as a result of the present war;
(c) any other territory which might voluntarily be placed under trusteeship; and
(d) no discussion of actual territories is contemplated at the forthcoming United Nations conference or in the preliminary consultations,
and it will be a matter for subsequent agreement which territories within the above categories will be place under trusteeship.
The Premier of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States
of America have consulted with each other in the common interests of the people of their countries and those of liberated Europe. They jointly
declare their mutual agreement to concert during the temporary period of instability in liberated Europe the policies of their three Governments
in assisting the peoples liberated from the domination of Nazi Germany and the peoples of the former Axis satellite states of Europe to solve
by democratic means their pressing political and economic problems.
The establishment of order in Europe and the rebuilding of national economic life must be achieved by processes which will enable the
liberated peoples to destroy the last vestiges of nazism and fascism and to create democratic institutions of their own choice. This is a
principle of the Atlantic Charter — the right of all people to choose the form of government under which they will live — the restoration
of sovereign rights and self-government to those peoples who have been forcibly deprived to them by the aggressor nations.
To foster the conditions in which the liberated people may exercise these rights, the three governments will jointly assist the people in
any European liberated state or former Axis state in Europe where, in their judgment conditions require,
(a) to establish conditions of internal peace;
(b) to carry out emergency relief measures for the relief of distressed peoples;
(c) to form interim governmental authorities broadly representative of all democratic elements in the population and pledged to the
earliest possible establishment through free elections of Governments responsive to the will of the people; and
(d) to facilitate where necessary the holding of such elections.
The three Governments will consult the other United Nations and provisional authorities or other Governments in Europe when matters of
direct interest to them are under consideration.
When, in the opinion of the three Governments, conditions in any European liberated state or former Axis satellite in Europe make such
action necessary, they will immediately consult together on the measure necessary to discharge the joint responsibilities set forth in this
declaration.
By this declaration we reaffirm our faith in the principles of the Atlantic Charter, our pledge in the Declaration by the United Nations
and our determination to build in cooperation with other peace-loving nations world order, under law, dedicated to peace, security, freedom
and general well-being of all mankind.
In issuing this declaration, the three powers express the hope that the Provisional Government of the French Republic may be associated with
them in the procedure suggested.
It was agreed that Article 12 (a) of the Surrender terms for Germany should be amended to read as follows:
"The United Kingdom, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall possess supreme authority with respect
to Germany. In the exercise of such authority they will take such steps, including the complete dismemberment of Germany as they deem requisite
for future peace and security."
The study of the procedure of the dismemberment of Germany was referred to a committee consisting of Mr. Anthony Eden, Mr. John Winant,
and Mr. Fedor T. Gusev. This body would consider the desirability of associating with it a French representative.
It was agreed that a zone in Germany, to be occupied by the French forces, should be allocated France. This zone would be formed out of
the British and American zones and its extent would be settled by the British and Americans in consultation with the French Provisional Government.
It was also agreed that the French Provisional Government should be invited to become a member of the Allied Control Council for Germany.
On the Talks Between the Heads of Three Governments at the Crimean Conference on the Question of the German Reparations in Kind
1. Germany must pay in kind for the losses caused by her to the Allied nations in the course of the war. Reparations are to be received
in the first instance by those countries which have borne the main burden of the war, have suffered the heaviest losses and have organized
victory over the enemy.
2. Reparation in kind is to be exacted from Germany in three following forms:
(a) Removals within two years from the surrender of Germany or the cessation of organized resistance from the national wealth of Germany
located on the territory of Germany herself as well as outside her territory (equipment, machine tools, ships, rolling stock, German investments
abroad, shares of industrial, transport and other enterprises in Germany, etc.), these removals to be carried out chiefly for the purpose of
destroying the war potential of Germany.
(b) Annual deliveries of goods from current production for a period to be fixed.
(c) Use of German labor.
3. For the working out on the above principles of a detailed plan for exaction of reparation from Germany an Allied reparation commission
will be set up in Moscow. It will consist of three representatives — one from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, one from the United Kingdom
and one from the United States of America.
4. With regard to the fixing of the total sum of the reparation as well as the distribution of it among the countries which suffered from
the German aggression, the Soviet and American delegations agreed as follows:
"The Moscow reparation commission should take in its initial studies as a basis for discussion the suggestion of the Soviet Government that
the total sum of the reparation in accordance with the points (a) and (b) of the Paragraph 2 should be 22 billion dollars and that 50 per cent
should go to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."
The British delegation was of the opinion that, pending consideration of the reparation question by the Moscow reparation commission, no figures
of reparation should be mentioned.
The above Soviet-American proposal has been passed to the Moscow reparation commission as one of the proposals to be considered by the commission.
The conference agreed that the question of the major war criminals should be the subject of inquiry by the three Foreign Secretaries for report
in due course after the close of the conference.
The following declaration on Poland was agreed by the conference:
"A new situation has been created in Poland as a result of her complete liberation by the Red Army. This calls for the establishment of
a Polish Provisional Government which can be more broadly based than was possible before the recent liberation of the western part of Poland.
The Provisional Government which is now functioning in Poland should therefore be reorganized on a broader democratic basis with the inclusion
of democratic leaders from Poland itself and from Poles abroad. This new Government should then be called the Polish Provisional Government
of National Unity.
"M. Molotov, Mr. Harriman and Sir A. Clark Kerr are authorized as a commission to consult in the first instance in Moscow with members of
the present Provisional Government and with other Polish democratic leaders from within Poland and from abroad, with a view to the reorganization
of the present Government along the above lines. This Polish Provisional Government of National Unity shall be pledged to the holding of free and
unfettered elections as soon as possible on the basis of universal suffrage and secret ballot. In these elections all democratic and anti-Nazi
parties shall have the right to take part and to put forward candidates.
"When a Polish Provisional of Government National Unity has been properly formed in conformity with the above, the Government of the U.S.S.R.,
which now maintains diplomatic relations with the present Provisional Government of Poland, and the Government of the United Kingdom and the
Government of the United States of America will establish diplomatic relations with the new Polish Provisional Government National Unity, and
will exchange Ambassadors by whose reports the respective Governments will be kept informed about the situation in Poland.
"The three heads of Government consider that the eastern frontier of Poland should follow the Curzon Line with digressions from it in some
regions of five to eight kilometers in favour of Poland. They recognize that Poland must receive substantial accessions in territory in the north
and west. They feel that the opinion of the new Polish Provisional Government of National Unity should be sought in due course of the extent of
these accessions and that the final delimitation of the western frontier of Poland should thereafter await the peace conference."
It was agreed to recommend to Marshal Tito and to Dr. Ivan Subasitch:
(a) That the Tito-Subasitch agreement should immediately be put into effect and a new government formed on the basis of the agreement.
(b) That as soon as the new Government has been formed it should declare:
(I) That the Anti-Fascist Assembly of the National Liberation (AVNOJ) will be extended to include members of the last Yugoslav Skupstina
who have not compromised themselves by collaboration with the enemy, thus forming a body to be known as a temporary Parliament and
(II) That legislative acts passed by the Anti-Fascist Assembly of the National Liberation (AVNOJ) will be subject to subsequent ratification
by a Constituent Assembly; and that this statement should be published in the communiqué of the conference.
Notes on these subjects were put in by the British delegation and the American and Soviet delegations agreed to consider them and give their
views later.
There was an exchange of views between the Foreign Secretaries on the question of the desirability of a Yugoslav-Bulgarian pact of alliance.
The question at issue was whether a state still under an armistice regime could be allowed to enter into a treaty with another state. Mr. Eden
suggested that the Bulgarian and Yugoslav Governments should be informed that this could not be approved. Mr. Stettinius suggested that the British
and American Ambassadors should discuss the matter further with Mr. Molotov in Moscow. Mr. Molotov agreed with the proposal of Mr. Stettinius.
Mr. Eden, Mr. Stettinius and Mr. Molotov exchanged views on the situation in Iran. It was agreed that this matter should be pursued through
the diplomatic channel.
The conference agreed that permanent machinery should be set up for consultation between the three Foreign Secretaries; they should meet as
often as necessary, probably about every three or four months.
These meetings will be held in rotation in the three capitals, the first meeting being held in London.
It was agreed that at the next meeting of the three Foreign Secretaries to be held in London, they should consider proposals which it was
understood the Soviet Government would put forward in relation to the Montreaux Convention, and report to their Governments. The Turkish Government
should be informed at the appropriate moment.
The forgoing protocol was approved and signed by the three Foreign Secretaries at the Crimean Conference Feb. 11, 1945.
The leaders of the three great powers — the Soviet Union, the United States of America and Great Britain — have agreed that in two or
three months after Germany has surrendered and the war in Europe is terminated, the Soviet Union shall enter into war against Japan on the side
of the Allies on condition that:
1. The status quo in Outer Mongolia (the Mongolian People's Republic) shall be preserved.
2. The former rights of Russia violated by the treacherous attack of Japan in 1904 shall be restored, viz.:
(a) The southern part of Sakhalin as well as the islands adjacent to it shall be returned to the Soviet Union;
(b) The commercial port of Dairen shall be internationalized, the pre-eminent interests of the Soviet Union in this port being safeguarded,
and the lease of Port Arthur as a naval base of the U.S.S.R. restored;
(c) The Chinese-Eastern Railroad and the South Manchurian Railroad, which provide an outlet to Dairen, shall be jointly operated by the
establishment of a joint Soviet-Chinese company, it being understood that the pre-eminent interests of the Soviet Union shall be safeguarded
and that China shall retain sovereignty in Manchuria;
3. The Kurile Islands shall be handed over to the Soviet Union.
It is understood that the agreement concerning Outer Mongolia and the ports and railroads referred to above will require concurrence of
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The President will take measures in order to maintain this concurrence on advice from Marshal Stalin.
The heads of the three great powers have agreed that these claims of the Soviet Union shall be unquestionably fulfilled after Japan has
been defeated.
For its part, the Soviet Union expresses it readiness to conclude with the National Government of China a pact of friendship and alliance
between the U.S.S.R. and China in order to render assistance to China with its armed forces for the purpose of liberating China from the Japanese
yoke.
Joseph Stalin Franklin D. Roosevelt Winston S. Churchill
DECLARATION REGARDING THE
DEFEAT OF GERMANY AND THE ASSUMPTION OF SUPREME AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO GERMANY BY THE GOVERNMENTS
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.
The German armed forces on land, at sea and in the air have been completely defeated and have surrendered unconditionally and Germany,
which bears responsibility for the war, is no longer capable of resisting the will of the victorious Powers. The unconditional surrender
of Germany has thereby been effected, and Germany has become subject to such requirements as may now or hereafter be imposed upon her.
There is no central Government or authority in Germany capable of accepting responsibility for the maintenance of order, the administration
of the country and compliance with the requirements of the victorious Powers.
It is in these circumstances necessary, without prejudice to any subsequent decisions that may be taken respecting Germany, to make provision
for the cessation of any further hostilities on the part of the German armed forces, for the maintenance of order in Germany and for the administration
of the country, and to announce the immediate requirements with which Germany must comply.
The Representatives of the Supreme Commands of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom and
the French Republic, hereinafter called the "Allied Representatives," acting by authority of their respective Governments and in the interests of
the United Nations, accordingly make the following Declaration:
The Governments of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom, and the Provisional Government
of the French Republic, hereby assume supreme authority with respect to Germany, including all the powers possessed by the German Government,
the High Command and any state, municipal, or local government or authority. The assumption, for the purposes stated above, of the said
authority and powers does not affect the annexation of Germany.
The Governments of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom, and the Provisional Government
of the French Republic, will hereafter determine the boundaries of Germany or any part thereof and the status of Germany or of any area at present
being part of German territory.
In virtue of the supreme authority and powers thus assumed by the four Governments, the Allied Representatives announce the following
requirements arising from the complete defeat and unconditional surrender of Germany with which Germany must comply:
Article 1
Germany, and all German military, naval and air authorities and all forces under German control shall immediately cease
hostilities in all theatres of war against the forces of the United Nations on land, at sea and in the air.
Article 2
(a) All armed forces of Germany or under German control, wherever they may be situated, including land, air, anti-aircraft
and naval forces, the S.S., S.A. and Gestapo, and all other forces of auxiliary organisations equipped with weapons, shall be
completely disarmed, handing over their weapons and equipment to local Allied Commanders or to officers designated by the Allied
Representatives.
(b) The personnel of the formations and units of all the forces referred to in paragraph (a) above shall, at the discretion
of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Allied State concerned, be declared to be prisoners of war, pending further
decisions, and shall be subject to such conditions and directions as may be prescribed by the respective Allied Representatives.
(c) All forces referred to in paragraph (a) above, wherever they may be, will remain in their present positions pending
instructions from the Allied Representatives.
(d) Evacuation by the said forces of all territories outside the frontiers of Germany as they existed on the 31st December,
1937, will proceed according to instructions to be given by the Allied Representatives.
(e) Detachments of civil police to be armed with small arms only, for the maintenance of order and for guard duties, will
be designated by the Allied Representatives.
Article 3
(a) All aircraft of any kind or nationality in Germany or German-occupied or controlled territories or waters, military,
naval or civil, other than aircraft in the service of the Allies, will remain on the ground, on the water or aboard ships pending
further instructions.
(b) All German or German-controlled aircraft in or over territories or waters not occupied or controlled by Germany will
proceed to Germany or to such other place or places as may be specified by the Allied Representatives.
Article 4
(a) All German or German-controlled naval vessels, surface and submarine, auxiliary naval craft, and merchant and other shipping,
wherever such vessels may be at the time of this Declaration, and all other merchant ships of whatever nationality in German ports,
will remain in or proceed immediately to ports and bases as specified by the Allied Representatives. The crews of such vessels will
remain on board pending further instructions.
(b) All ships and vessels of the United Nations, whether or not title has been transferred as the result of prize court or
other proceedings, which are at the disposal of Germany or under German control at the time of this Declaration, will proceed at the
dates and to the ports or bases specified by the Allied Representatives.
Article 5
(a) All or any of the following articles in the possession of the German armed forces or under German control or at German disposal
will be held intact and in good condition at the disposal of the Allied Representatives, for such purposes and at such times and places as
they may prescribe:
(i) all arms, ammunition, explosives, military equipment, stores and supplies and other implements of war of all kinds and
all other war materials;
(ii) all naval vessels of all classes, both surface and submarine, auxiliary naval craft and all merchant shipping, whether
afloat, under repair or construction, built or building;
(iii) all aircraft of all kinds, aviation and anti-aircraft equipment and devices;
(iv) all transportation and communications facilities and equipment, by land, water or air;
(v) all military installations and establishments, including airfields, seaplane bases, ports and naval bases, storage depots,
permanent and temporary land and coast fortifications, fortresses and other fortified areas, together with plans and drawings of
all such fortifications, installations and establishments;
(vi) all factories, plants, shops, research institutions, laboratories, testing stations, technical data, patents, plans, drawings
and inventions, designed or intended to produce or to facilitate the production or use of the articles, materials, and facilities referred
to in sub-paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above or otherwise to further the conduct of war.
(b) At the demand of the Allied Representatives the following will be furnished:
(i) the labour, services and plant required for the maintenance or operation of any of the six categories mentioned in paragraph (a)
above; and
(ii) any information or records that may be required by the Allied Representatives in connection with the same.
(c) At the demand of the Allied Representatives all facilities will be provided for the movement of Allied troops and agencies,
their equipment and supplies, on the railways, roads and other land communications or by sea, river or air. All means of transportation will
be maintained in good order and repair, and the labour, services and plant necessary therefor will be furnished.
Article 6
(a) The German authorities will release to the Allied Representatives, in accordance with the procedure to be laid down by them,
all prisoners of war at present in their power, belonging to the forces of the United Nations, and will furnish full lists of these persons,
indicating the places of their detention in Germany or territory occupied by Germany. Pending the release of such prisoners of war, the German
authorities and people will protect them in their persons and property and provide them with adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical attention
and money in accordance with their rank or official position.
(b) The German authorities and people will in like manner provide for and release all other nationals of the United Nations who
are confined, interned or otherwise under restraint, and all other persons who may be confined, interned or otherwise under restraint for
political reasons or as a result of any Nazi action, law or regulation which discriminates on the ground of race, colour, creed or political
belief.
(c) The German authorities will, at the demand of the Allied Representatives, hand over control of places of detention to such
officers as may be designated for the purpose by the Allied Representatives.
Article 7
The German authorities concerned will furnish to the Allied Representatives:
(a) full information regarding the forces referred to in Article 2 (a), and, in particular, will furnish forthwith all
information which the Allied Representatives may require concerning the numbers, locations and dispositions of such forces, whether
located inside or outside Germany;
(b) complete and detailed information concerning mines, minefields and other obstacles to movement by land, sea or air, and
the safety lanes in connection therewith. All such safety lanes will be kept open and clearly marked; all mines, minefields and other
dangerous obstacles will as far as possible be rendered safe, and all aids to navigation will be reinstated. Unarmed German military
and civilian personnel with the necessary equipment will be made available and utilized for the above purposes and for the removal of
mines, minefields and other obstacles as directed by the Allied Representatives.
Article 8
There shall be no destruction, removal, concealment, transfer or scuttling of, or damage to, any military, naval, air, shipping, port,
industrial and other like property and facilities and all records and archives, wherever they may be situated, except as may be directed
by the Allied Representatives.
Article 9
Pending the institution of control by the Allied Representatives over all means of communication, all radio and telecommunication
installations and other forms of wire or wireless communications, whether ashore or afloat, under German control, will cease transmission
except as directed by the Allied Representatives.
Article 10
The forces, ships, aircraft, military equipment, and other property in Germany or in German control or service or at German disposal,
of any other country at war with any of the Allies, will be subject to the provisions of this Declaration and of any proclamations, orders,
ordinances or instructions issued thereunder.
Article 11
(a) The principal Nazi leaders as specified by the Allied Representatives, and all persons from time to time named or designated by
rank, office or employment by the Allied Representatives as being suspected of having committed, ordered or abetted war crimes or analogous
offences, will be apprehended and surrendered to the Allied Representatives.
(b) The same will apply in the case of any national of any of the United Nations who is alleged to have committed an offence against
his national law, and who may at any time be named or designated by rank, office or employment by the Allied Representatives.
(c) The German authorities and people will comply with any instructions given by the Allied Representatives for the apprehension
and surrender of such persons.
Article 12
The Allied Representatives will station forces and civil agencies in any or all parts of Germany as they may determine.
Article 13
(a) In the exercise of the supreme authority with respect to Germany assumed by the Governments of the United States of America,
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom, and the Provisional Government of the French Republic, the four
Allied Governments will take such steps, including the complete disarmament and demilitarization of Germany, as they deem requisite
for future peace and security.
(b) The Allied Representatives will impose on Germany additional political, administrative, economic, financial, military and
other requirements arising from the complete defeat of Germany. The Allied Representatives, or persons or agencies duly designated to
act on their authority, will issue proclamations, orders, ordinances and instructions for the purpose of laying down such additional
requirements, and of giving effect to the other provisions of this Declaration. All German authorities and the German people shall
carry out unconditionally the requirements of the Allied Representatives, and shall fully comply with all such proclamations, orders,
ordinances and instructions.
Article 14
This Declaration enters into force and effect at the date and hour set forth below. In the event of failure on the part of the German
authorities or people promptly and completely to fulfill their obligations hereby or hereafter imposed, the Allied Representatives will
take whatever action may be deemed by them to be appropriate under the circumstances.
Article 15
This Declaration is drawn up in the English, Russian, French and German languages. The English, Russian and French are the only
authentic texts.
The Berlin Declaration (in Chinese: Bolin xuanyan 柏林宣言) was signed by the Allied commanders-in-chief:
● Georgy Zhukov for the Soviet Union,
● Dwight D. Eisenhower for the United States,
● Bernard Montgomery for the United Kingdom, and
● Jean de Lattre de Tassigny for France.
The Berlin Conference of the three heads of government of the USSR, USA, and UK, which took place from July 17 to August 2, 1945, came
to the following conclusions:
A. The Conference reached the following agreement for the establishment of a Council of Foreign Ministers to do the necessary preparatory
work for the peace settlements:
(1) There shall be established a Council composed of the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,
China, France, and the United States.
(2) (i) The Council shall normally meet in London which shall be the permanent seat of the joint Secretariat which the Council will form.
Each of the Foreign Ministers will be accompanied by a high-ranking Deputy, duly authorized to carry on the work of the Council in the absence
of his Foreign Ministers, and by a small staff of technical advisers.
(ii) The first meeting of the Council shall be held in London not later than September 1st 1945. Meetings may be held by common agreement
in other capitals as may be agreed from time to time.
(3) (i) As its immediate important task, the Council shall be authorized to draw up, with a view to their submission to the United Nations,
treaties of peace with Italy, Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland, and to propose settlements of territorial questions outstanding on the
termination of the war in Europe. The Council shall be utilized for the preparation of a peace settlement for Germany to be accepted by the
Government of Germany when a government adequate for the purpose is established.
(ii) For the discharge of each of these tasks the Council will be composed of the Members representing those States which were signatory
to the terms of surrender imposed upon the enemy State concerned. For the purposes of the peace settlement for Italy, France shall be regarded
as a signatory to the terms of surrender for Italy. Other Members will be invited to participate when matters directly concerning them are
under discussion.
(iii) Other matters may from time to time be referred to the Council by agreement between the Member Governments.
(4) (i) Whenever the Council is considering a question of direct interest to a State not represented thereon, such State should be invited
to send representatives to participate in the discussion and study of that question.
(ii) The Council may adapt its procedure to the particular problems under consideration. In some cases it may hold its own preliminary
discussions prior to the participation of other interested States. In other cases, the Council may convoke a formal conference of the State
chiefly interested in seeking a solution of the particular problem.
B. It was agreed that the three Governments should each address an identical invitation to the Governments of China and France to adopt this
text and to join in establishing the Council. The text of the approved invitation was as follows:
Council of Foreign Ministers Draft for identical invitation to be sent separately by each of the Three Governments to the Governments of China
and France.
The Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and the U. S. S. R. consider it necessary to begin without delay the essential
preparatory work upon the peace settlements in Europe. To this end they are agreed that there should be established a Council of the Foreign
Ministers of the Five Great Powers to prepare treaties of peace with the European enemy States, for submission to the United Nations. The Council
would also be empowered to propose settlements of outstanding territorial questions in Europe and to consider such other matters as member
Governments might agree to refer to it.
The text adopted by the Three Governments is as follows:
(Here insert final agreed text of the Proposal)
In agreement with the Governments of the United States and U. S. S. R., His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and U. S. S. R.,
the United States Government, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Government extend a cordial invitation to the Government of China (France) to
adopt the text quoted above and to join in setting up the Council. His Majesty's Government, The United States Government, The Soviet Government
attach much importance to the participation of the Chinese Government (French Government) in the proposed arrangements and they hope to receive
an early and favourable reply to this invitation.
C. It was understood that the establishment of the Council of Foreign Ministers for the specific purposes named in the text would be without
prejudice to the agreement of the Crimea Conference that there should be periodical consultation between the Foreign Secretaries of the United
States, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom.
D. The Conference also considered the position of the European Advisory Commission in the light of the Agreement to establish the Council of
Foreign Ministers. It was noted with satisfaction that the Commission had ably discharged its principal tasks by the recommendations that it had
furnished for the terms of surrender for Germany, for the zones of occupation in Germany and Austria and for the inter-Allied control machinery
in those countries. It was felt that further work of a detailed character for the coordination of Allied policy for the control of Germany and
Austria would in future fall within the competence of the Control Council at Berlin and the Allied Commission at Vienna. Accordingly it was agreed
to recommend that the European Advisory Commission be dissolved.
1. In accordance with the Agreement on Control Machinery in Germany, supreme authority in Germany is exercised, on instructions from their
respective Governments, by the Commanders-in-Chief of the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics, and the French Republic, each in his own zone of occupation, and also jointly, in matters affecting Germany as a whole, in
their capacity as members of the Control Council.
2. So far as is practicable, there shall be uniformity of treatment of the German population throughout Germany.
3. The purposes of the occupation of Germany by which the Control Council shall be guided are:
(i) The complete disarmament and demilitarization of Germany and the elimination or control of all German industry that could be used for
military production. To these ends:-
(a) All German land, naval and air forces, the SS., SA., SD., and Gestapo, with all their organizations, staffs and institutions, including
the General Staff, the Officers' Corps, Reserve Corps, military schools, war veterans' organizations and all other military and semi-military
organizations, together with all clubs and associations which serve to keep alive the military tradition in Germany, shall be completely and
finally abolished in such manner as permanently to prevent the revival or reorganization of German militarism and Nazism;
(b) All arms, ammunition and implements of war and all specialized facilities for their production shall be held at the disposal of the
Allies or destroyed. The maintenance and production of all aircraft and all arms. ammunition and implements of war shall be prevented.
(ii) To convince the German people that they have suffered a total military defeat and that they cannot escape responsibility for what they
have brought upon themselves, since their own ruthless warfare and the fanatical Nazi resistance have destroyed German economy and made chaos and
suffering inevitable.
(iii) To destroy the National Socialist Party and its affiliated and supervised organizations, to dissolve all Nazi institutions, to ensure
that they are not revived in any form, and to prevent all Nazi and militarist activity or propaganda.
(iv) To prepare for the eventual reconstruction of German political life on a democratic basis and for eventual peaceful cooperation in
international life by Germany.
4. All Nazi laws which provided the basis of the Hitler regime or established discriminations on grounds of race, creed, or political opinion
shall be abolished. No such discriminations, whether legal, administrative or otherwise, shall be tolerated.
5. War criminals and those who have participated in planning or carrying out Nazi enterprises involving or resulting in atrocities or war crimes
shall be arrested and brought to judgment. Nazi leaders, influential Nazi supporters and high officials of Nazi organizations and institutions and
any other persons dangerous to the occupation or its objectives shall be arrested and interned.
6. All members of the Nazi Party who have been more than nominal participants in its activities and all other persons hostile to Allied purposes
shall be removed from public and semi-public office, and from positions of responsibility in important private undertakings. Such persons shall be
replaced by persons who, by their political and moral qualities, are deemed capable of assisting in developing genuine democratic institutions in
Germany.
7. German education shall be so controlled as completely to eliminate Nazi and militarist doctrines and to make possible the successful
development of democratic ideas.
8. The judicial system will be reorganized in accordance with the principles of democracy, of justice under law, and of equal rights for
all citizens without distinction of race, nationality or religion.
9. The administration in Germany should be directed towards the decentralization of the political structure and the development of local
responsibility. To this end:-
(i) local self-government shall be restored throughout Germany on democratic principles and in particular through elective councils as
rapidly as is consistent with military security and the purposes of military occupation;
(ii) all democratic political parties with rights of assembly and of public discussion shall be allowed and encouraged throughout Germany;
(iii) representative and elective principles shall be introduced into regional, provincial and state (Land) administration as rapidly as may
be justified by the successful application of these principles in local self-government;
(iv) for the time being, no central German Government shall be established. Notwithstanding this, however, certain essential central German
administrative departments, headed by State Secretaries, shall be established, particularly in the fields of finance, transport, communications,
foreign trade and industry. Such departments will act under the direction of the Control Council.
10. Subject to the necessity for maintaining military security, freedom of speech, press and religion shall be permitted, and religious
institutions shall be respected. Subject likewise to the maintenance of military security, the formation of free trade unions shall be permitted.
B. ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES.
11. In order to eliminate Germany's war potential, the production of arms, ammunition and implements of war as well as all types of aircraft
and sea-going ships shall be prohibited and prevented. Production of metals, chemicals, machinery and other items that are directly necessary to a
war economy shall be rigidly controlled and restricted to Germany's approved post-war peacetime needs to meet the objectives stated in Paragraph 15.
Productive capacity not needed for permitted production shall be removed in accordance with the reparations plan recommended by the Allied Commission
on Reparations and approved by the Governments concerned or if not removed shall be destroyed.
12. At the earliest practicable date, the German economy shall be decentralized for the purpose of eliminating the present excessive concentration
of economic power as exemplified in particular by cartels, syndicates, trusts and other monopolistic arrangements.
13. In organizing the German Economy, primary emphasis shall be given to the development of agriculture and peaceful domestic industries.
14. During the period of occupation Germany shall be treated as a single economic unit. To this end common policies shall be established in
regard to:
(a) mining and industrial production and its allocation;
(b) agriculture, forestry and fishing;
(c) wages, prices and rationing;
(d) import and export programs for Germany as a whole;
(e) currency and banking, central taxation and customs;
(f) reparation and removal of industrial war potential;
(g) transportation and communications.
In applying these policies account shall be taken, where appropriate, of varying local conditions.
15. Allied controls shall be imposed upon the German economy but only to the extent necessary:
(a) to carry out programs of industrial disarmament, demilitarization, of reparations, and of approved exports and imports.
(b) to assure the production and maintenance of goods and services required to meet the needs of the occupying forces and displaced persons
in Germany and essential to maintain in Germany average living standards not exceeding the average of the standards of living of European countries.
(European countries means all European countries excluding the United Kingdom and the U. S. S. R.).
(c) to ensure in the manner determined by the Control Council the equitable distribution of essential commodities between the several zones
so as to produce a balanced economy throughout Germany and reduce the need for imports.
(d) to control German industry and all economic and financial international transactions including exports and imports, with the aim of
preventing Germany from developing a war potential and of achieving the other objectives named herein.
(e) to control all German public or private scientific bodies research and experimental institutions, laboratories, et cetera connected
with economic activities.
16. In the imposition and maintenance of economic controls established by the Control Council, German administrative machinery shall be
created and the German authorities shall be required to the fullest extent practicable to proclaim and assume administration of such controls. Thus
it should be brought home to the German people that the responsibility for the administration of such controls and any break-down in these controls
will rest with themselves. Any German controls which may run counter to the objectives of occupation will be prohibited.
17. Measures shall be promptly taken:
(a) to effect essential repair of transport;
(b) to enlarge coal production;
(c) to maximize agricultural output; and
(d) to erect emergency repair of housing and essential utilities.
18. Appropriate steps shall be taken by the Control Council to exercise control and the power of disposition over German-owned external
assets not already under the control of United Nations which have taken part in the war against Germany.
19. Payment of Reparations should leave enough resources to enable the German people to subsist without external assistance. In working
out the economic balance of Germany the necessary means must be provided to pay for imports approved by the Control Council in Germany. The
proceeds of exports from current production and stocks shall be available in the first place for payment for such imports.
The above clause will not apply to the equipment and products referred to in paragraphs 4 (a) and 4 (b) of the Reparations Agreement.
1. Reparation claims of the U. S. S. R. shall be met by removals from the zone of Germany occupied by the U. S. S. R., and from appropriate
German external assets.
2. The U. S. S. R. undertakes to settle the reparation claims of Poland from its own share of reparations.
3. The reparation claims of the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries entitled to reparations shall be met from the
Western Zones and from appropriate German external assets.
4. In addition to the reparations to be taken by the U. S. S. R. from its own zone of occupation, the U. S. S. R. shall receive additionally
from the Western Zones:
(a) 15 per cent of such usable and complete industrial capital equipment, in the first place from the metallurgical, chemical and machine
manufacturing industries as is unnecessary for the German peace economy and should be removed from the Western Zones of Germany, in exchange for
an equivalent value of food, coal, potash, zinc, timber, clay products, petroleum products, and such other commodities as may be agreed upon.
(b) 10 per cent of such industrial capital equipment as is unnecessary for the German peace economy and should be removed from the Western Zones,
to be transferred to the Soviet Government on reparations account without payment or exchange of any kind in return.
Removals of equipment as provided in (a) and (b) above shall be made simultaneously.
5. The amount of equipment to be removed from the Western Zones on account of reparations must be determined within six months from now at the
latest.
6. Removals of industrial capital equipment shall begin as soon as possible and shall be completed within two years from the determination
specified in paragraph 5. The delivery of products covered by 4 (a) above shall begin as soon as possible and shall be made by the U. S. S. R.
in agreed installments within five years of the date hereof. The determination of the amount and character of the industrial capital equipment
unnecessary for the German peace economy and therefore available for reparation shall be made by the Control Council under policies fixed by the
Allied Commission on Reparations, with the participation of France, subject to the final approval of the Zone Commander in the Zone from which
the equipment is to be removed.
7. Prior to the fixing of the total amount of equipment subject to removal, advance deliveries shall be made in respect to such equipment
as will be determined to he eligible for delivery in accordance with the procedure set forth in the last sentence of paragraph 6.
8. The Soviet Government renounces all claims in respect of reparations to shares of German enterprises which are located in the Western Zones
of Germany as well as to German foreign assets in all countries except those specified in paragraph 9 below.
9. The Governments of the U. K. and U. S. A. renounce all claims in respect of reparations to shares of German enterprises which are located
in the Eastern Zone of occupation in Germany, as well as to German foreign assets in Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Rumania and Eastern Austria.
10. The Soviet Government makes no claims to gold captured by the Allied troops in Germany.
A. The following principles for the distribution of the German Navy were agreed:
(1) The total strength of the German surface navy, excluding ships sunk and those taken over from Allied Nations, but including ships under
construction or repair, shall be divided equally among the U. S. S. R., U. K., and U. S. A.
(2) Ships under construction or repair mean those ships whose construction or repair may be completed within three to six months, according
to the type of ship. Whether such ships under construction or repair shall be completed or repaired shall be determined by the technical commission
appointed by the Three Powers and referred to below, subject to the principle that their completion or repair must be achieved within the time
limits above provided, without any increase of skilled employment in the German shipyards and without permitting the reopening of any German ship
building or connected industries. Completion date means the date when a ship is able to go out on its first trip, or, under peacetime standards,
would refer to the customary date of delivery by shipyard to the Government.
(3) The larger part of the German submarine fleet shall be sunk. Not more than thirty submarines shall be preserved and divided equally
between the U. S. S. R., U. K., and U. S. A. for experimental and technical purposes.
(4) All stocks of armament, ammunition and supplies of the German Navy appertaining to the vessels transferred pursuant to paragraphs (1)
and (3) hereof shall be handed over to the respective powers receiving such ships.
(5) The Three Governments agree to constitute a tripartite naval commission comprising two representatives for each government, accompanied
by the requisite staff, to submit agreed recommendations to the Three Governments for the allocation of specific German warships and to handle
other detailed matters arising out of the agreement between the Three Governments regarding the German fleet. The Commission will hold its first
meeting not later than 15th August, 1945, in Berlin, which shall be its headquarters. Each Delegation on the Commission will have the right on the
basis of reciprocity to inspect German warships wherever they may be located.
(6) The Three Governments agreed that transfers, including those of ships under construction and repair, shall be completed as soon as
possible, but not later than 15th February, 1946. The Commission will submit fortnightly reports, including proposals for the progressive allocation
of the vessels when agreed by the Commission.
B. The following principles for the distribution of the German Merchant Marine were agreed:-
(1) The German Merchant Marine, surrendered to the Three Powers and wherever located, shall be divided equally among the U. S. S. R.,
the U. K., and the U. S. A. The actual transfers of the ships to the respective countries shall take place as soon as practicable after the
end of the war against Japan. The United Kingdom and the United States will provide out of their shares of the surrendered German merchant ships
appropriate amounts for other Allied States whose merchant marines have suffered heavy losses in the common cause against Germany, except that
the Soviet Union shall provide out of its share for Poland.
(2) The allocation, manning, and operation of these ships during the Japanese War period shall fall under the cognizance and authority of
the Combined Shipping Adjustment Board and the United Maritime Authority.
(3) While actual transfer of the ships shall be delayed until after the end of the war with Japan, a Tripartite Shipping Commission shall
inventory and value all available ships and recommend a specific distribution in accordance with paragraph (1).
(4) German inland and coastal ships determined to be necessary to the maintenance of the basic German peace economy by the Allied Control
Council of Germany shall not be included in the shipping pool thus divided among the Three Powers.
(5) The Three Governments agree to constitute a tripartite merchant marine commission comprising two representatives for each Government,
accompanied by the requisite staff, to submit agreed recommendations to the Three Governments for the allocation of specific German merchant ships
and to handle other detailed matters arising out of the agreement between the Three Governments regarding the German merchant ships. The Commission
will hold its first meeting not later than September 1st, 1945, in Berlin, which shall be its headquarters. Each delegation on the Commission will
have the right on the basis of reciprocity to inspect the German merchant ships wherever they may be located.
The Conference examined a proposal by the Soviet Government to the effect that pending the final determination of territorial questions at
the peace settlement, the section of the western frontier of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which is adjacent to the Baltic Sea should
pass from a point on the eastern shore of the Bay of Danzig to the east, north of Braunsberg-Goldap, to the meeting point of the frontiers of
Lithuania, the Polish Republic and East Prussia.
The Conference has agreed in principle to the proposal of the Soviet Government concerning the ultimate transfer to the Soviet Union of the
City of Koenigsberg and the area adjacent to it as described above subject to expert examination of the actual frontier.
The President of the United States and the British Prime Minister have declared that they will support the proposal of the Conference at the
forthcoming peace settlement.
The Three Governments have taken note of the discussions which have been proceeding in recent weeks in London between British, United States,
Soviet and French representatives with a view to reaching agreement on the methods of trial of those major war criminals whose crimes under the
Moscow Declaration of October, 1943 have no particular geographical localization. The Three Governments reaffirm their intention to bring these
criminals to swift and sure justice. They hope that the negotiations in London will result in speedy agreement being reached for this purpose,
and they regard it as a matter of great importance that the trial of these major criminals should begin at the earliest possible date. The first
list of defendants will be published before 1st September.
The Conference examined a proposal by the Soviet Government on the extension of the authority of the Austrian Provisional Government to all
of Austria.
The three governments agreed that they were prepared to examine this question after the entry of the British and American forces into the
city of Vienna.
It was agreed that reparations should not be exacted from Austria.
We have taken note with pleasure of the agreement reached among representative Poles from Poland and abroad which has made possible the
formation, in accordance with the decisions reached at the Crimea Conference, of a Polish Provisional Government of National Unity recognized
by the Three Powers. The establishment by the British and United States Governments of diplomatic relations with the Polish Provisional Government
of National Unity has resulted in the withdrawal of their recognition from the former Polish Government in London, which no longer exists.
The British and United States Governments have taken measures to protect the interest of the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity
as the recognized government of the Polish State in the property belonging to the Polish State located in their territories and under their control,
whatever the form of this property may be. They have further taken measures to prevent alienation to third parties of such property. All proper
facilities will be given to the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity for the exercise of the ordinary legal remedies for the recovery
of any property belonging to the Polish State which may have been wrongfully alienated.
The Three Powers are anxious to assist the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity in facilitating the return to Poland as soon as
practicable of all Poles abroad who wish to go, including members of the Polish Armed Forces and the Merchant Marine. They expect that those Poles
who return home shall be accorded personal and property rights on the same basis as all Polish citizens
The Three Powers note that the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity, in accordance with the decisions of the Crimea Conference,
has agreed to the holding of free and unfettered elections as soon as possible on the basis of universal suffrage and secret ballot in which all
democratic and anti-Nazi parties shall have the right to take part and to put forward candidates, and that representatives of the Allied press
shall enjoy full freedom to report to the world upon developments in Poland before and during the elections.
B. WESTERN FRONTIER OF POLAND.
In conformity with the agreement on Poland reached at the Crimea Conference the three Heads of Government have sought the opinion of the
Polish Provisional Government of National Unity in regard to the accession of territory in the north 'end west which Poland should receive. The
President of the National Council of Poland and members of the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity have been received at the
Conference and have fully presented their views. The three Heads of Government reaffirm their opinion that the final delimitation of the
western frontier of Poland should await the peace settlement.
The three Heads of Government agree that, pending the final determination of Poland's western frontier, the former German territories
cast of a line running from the Baltic Sea immediately west of Swinamunde, and thence along the Oder River to the confluence of the western
Neisse River and along the Western Neisse to the Czechoslovak frontier, including that portion of East Prussia not placed under the administration
of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in accordance with the understanding reached at this conference and including the area of the former
free city of Danzig, shall be under the administration of the Polish State and for such purposes should not be considered as part of the Soviet zone
of occupation in Germany.
The three Governments consider it desirable that the present anomalous position of Italy, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary and Rumania should be
terminated by the conclusion of Peace Treaties. They trust that the other interested Allied Governments will share these views.
For their part the three Governments have included the preparation of a Peace Treaty for Italy as the first among the immediate important tasks
to be undertaken by the new Council of Foreign Ministers. Italy was the first of the Axis Powers to break with Germany, to whose defeat she has made a
material contribution, and has now joined with the Allies in the struggle against Japan. Italy has freed herself from the Fascist regime and is making
good progress towards reestablishment of a democratic government and institutions. The conclusion of such a Peace Treaty with a recognized and
democratic Italian Government will make it possible for the three Governments to fulfill their desire to support an application from Italy for
membership of the United Nations.
The three Governments have also charged the Council of Foreign Ministers with the task of preparing Peace Treaties for Bulgaria, Finland,
Hungary and Rumania. The conclusion of Peace Treaties with recognized democratic governments in these States will also enable the three Governments
to support applications from them for membership of the United Nations. The three Governments agree to examine each separately in the near future
in the light of the conditions then prevailing, the establishment of diplomatic relations with Finland, Rumania, Bulgaria, and Hungary to the
extent possible prior to the conclusion of peace treaties with those countries.
The three Governments have no doubt that in view of the changed conditions resulting from the termination of the war in Europe, representatives
of the Allied press will enjoy full freedom to report to the world upon developments in Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland.
As regards the admission of other States into the United Nations Organization, Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations declares that:
1. Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving States who accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and,
in the judgment of the organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations;
2. The admission of any such State to membership in the United Nations will be effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the
recommendation of the Security Council.
The three Governments, so far as they are concerned, will support applications for membership from those States which have remained
neutral during the war and which fulfill the qualifications set out above.
The three Governments feel bound however to make it clear that they for their part would not favour any application for membership put
forward by the present Spanish Government, which, having been founded with the support of the Axis Powers, does not, in view of its origins,
its nature, its record and its close association with the aggressor States, possess the qualifications necessary to justify such membership.
The Conference examined a proposal by the Soviet Government on the question of trusteeship territories as defined in the decision of the
Crimea Conference and in the Charter of the United Nations Organization.
After an exchange of views on this question it was decided that the disposition of any former Italian colonial territories was one to be
decided in connection with the preparation of a peace treaty for Italy and that the question of Italian colonial territory would be considered
by the September Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
The three Governments took note that the Soviet Representatives on the Allied Control Commissions in Rumania, Bulgaria, and Hungary,
have communicated to their United Kingdom and United States colleagues proposals for improving the work of the Control Commissions, now that
hostilities in Europe have ceased.
The three Governments agreed that the revision of the procedures of the Allied Control Commissions in these countries would now be
undertaken, taking into account the interests and responsibilities of the three Governments which together presented the terms of armistice
to the respective countries, and accepting as a basis, in respect of all three countries, the Soviet Government's proposals for Hungary as
annexed hereto. (Annex I)
The Three Governments, having considered the question in all its aspects, recognize that the transfer to Germany of German populations,
or elements thereof, remaining in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary, will have to be undertaken. They agree that any transfers that take place
should be effected in an orderly and humane manner.
Since the influx of a large number of Germans into Germany would increase the burden already resting on the occupying authorities, they
consider that the Control Council in Germany should in the first instance examine the problem, with special regard to the question of the
equitable distribution of these Germans among the several zones of occupation. They are accordingly instructing their respective representatives
on the Control Council to report to their Governments as soon as possible the extent to which such persons have already entered Germany from
Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary, to submit an estimate of the time and rate at which further transfers could be carried out having regard
to the present situation in Germany.
The Czechoslovak Government, the Polish Provisional Government and the Control Council in Hungary are at the same time being informed of
the above and are being requested meanwhile to suspend further expulsions pending an examination by the Governments concerned of the report
from their representatives on the Control Council.
The Conference agreed to set up two bilateral commissions of experts, one to be composed of United Kingdom and Soviet Members and one to
be composed of United States and Soviet Members, to investigate the facts and examine the documents, as a basis for the settlement of questions
arising from the removal of oil equipment in Rumania. It was further agreed that these experts shall begin their work within ten days, on the spot.
It was agreed that Allied troops should be withdrawn immediately from Tehran, and that further stages of the withdrawal of troops from Iran
should be considered at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in London in September, 1945.
A proposal by the Soviet Government was examined and the following decisions were reached:
Having examined the question of the Zone of Tangier, the three Governments have agreed that this Zone, which includes the City of Tangier and
the area adjacent to it, in view of its special strategic importance, shall remain international.
The question of Tangier will be discussed in the near future at a meeting in Paris of representatives of the Governments of the Union
of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France.
The Three Governments recognized that the Convention concluded at Montreux should be revised as failing to meet present-day conditions.
It was agreed that as the next step the matter should be the subject of direct conversations between each of the three Governments and
the Turkish Government.
The Conference considered a proposal of the U. S. Delegation on this subject and agreed to refer it for consideration to the forthcoming
meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in London.
The British and U. S. Delegations to the Conference informed the Soviet Delegation of the desire of the British and U. S. Governments to
reconvene the European Inland Transport Conference and stated that they would welcome assurance that the Soviet Government would participate
in the work of the reconvened conference. The Soviet Government agreed that it would participate in this conference.
The Three Governments agreed that each would send a directive to its representative on the Control Council for Germany informing him of
all decisions of the Conference affecting matters within the scope of his duties.
The proposal (Annex II) presented by the United States Delegation was accepted in principle by the Conference, but the drafting of an
agreement on the matter was left to be worked out through diplomatic channels.
TEXT OF A LETTER TRANSMITTED ON JULY 12 TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U. S. AND U. K. GOVERNMENTS ON THE ALLIED CONTROL COMMISSION
IN HUNGARY
In view of the changed situation in connection with the termination of the war against Germany, the Soviet Government finds it necessary
to establish the following order of work for the Allied Control Commission in Hungary.
1. During the period up to the conclusion of peace with Hungary the President (or Vice-President) of the ACC will regularly call conferences
with the British and American representatives for the purpose of discussing the most important questions relating to the work of the ACC. The
conferences will be called once in 10 days, or more frequently in case of need.
Directives of the ACC on questions or principle will be issued to the Hungarian authorities by the President of the Allied Control Commission
after agreement on these directives with the English and American representatives.
2. The British and American representatives in the ACC will take part in general conferences of heads of divisions and delegates of the ACC,
convoked by the President of the ACC, which meetings will be regular in nature. The British and American representatives will also participate
personally or through their representatives in appropriate instances in mixed commissions created by the President of the ACC for questions
connected with the execution by the ACC of its functions
3. Free movement by the American and British representatives in the country will be permitted provided that the ACC is previously informed
of the time and route of the journeys.
4. All questions connected with permission for the entrance and exit of members of the staff of the British and American representatives
in Hungary will be decided on the spot by the President of the ACC within a time limit of not more than one week.
5. The bringing in and sending out by plane of mail, cargoes and diplomatic couriers will be carried out by the British and American
representatives on the ACC under arrangements and within time limits established by the ACC, or in special cases by previous coordination
with the President of the ACC.
I consider it necessary to add to the above that in all other points the existing Statutes regarding the ACC in Hungary, which was confirmed
on January 20, 1945, shall remain in force in the future.
USE OF ALLIED PROPERTY FOR SATELITE REPARATIONS OR WAR TROPHIES
1. The burden of reparation and "war trophies" should not fall on Allied nationals.
2. Capital Equipment-We object to the removal of such Allied property as reparations, "war trophies", or under any other guise. Loss
would accrue to Allied nationals as a result of destruction of plants and the consequent loss of markets and trading connections. Seizure
of Allied property makes impossible the fulfillment by the satellite of its obligation under the armistice to restore intact the rights and
interests of the Allied Nations and their nationals.
The United States looks to the other occupying powers for the return of any equipment already removed and the cessation of removals. Where
such equipment will not or cannot be returned, the U. S. will demand of the satellite adequate, effective and prompt compensation to American
nationals, and that such compensation have priority equal to that of the reparations payment.
These principles apply to all property wholly or substantially owned by Allied nationals. In the event of removals of property in which
the American as well as the entire Allied interest is less than substantial, the U. S. expects adequate, effective, and prompt compensation.
3. Current Production-While the U. S. does not oppose reparation out of current production of Allied investments, the satellite must
provide immediate and adequate compensation to the Allied nationals including sufficient foreign exchange or products so that they can
recover reasonable foreign currency expenditures and transfer a reasonable return on their investment. Such compensation must also have
equal priority with reparations.
We deem it essential that the satellites not conclude treaties, agreements or arrangements which deny to Allied nationals access, on
equal terms, to their trade, raw materials and industry; and appropriately modify any existing arrangements which may have that effect.
We—The President of the United States, the President of the National Government
of the Republic of China, and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, representing the hundreds of millions of our
countrymen, have conferred and agree that Japan shall be given an opportunity to end this war.
(2)
The prodigious land, sea and air forces of the United States, the British Empire and of China,
many times reinforced by their armies and air fleets from the west, are poised to strike the final blows upon Japan. This
military power is sustained and inspired by the determination of all the Allied Nations to prosecute the war against Japan
until she ceases to resist.
(3)
The result of the futile and senseless German resistance to the might of the aroused free peoples
of the world stands forth in awful clarity as an example to the people of Japan. The might that now converges on Japan is
immeasurably greater than that which, when applied to the resisting Nazis, necessarily laid waste to the lands, the industry
and the method of life of the whole German people. The full application of our military power, backed by our resolve, will
mean the inevitable and complete destruction of the Japanese armed forces and just as inevitably the utter devastation
of the Japanese homeland.
(4)
The time has come for Japan to decide whether she will continue to be controlled by those self-willed
militaristic advisers whose unintelligent calculations have brought the Empire of Japan to the threshold of annihilation, or whether
she will follow the path of reason.
(5)
Following are our terms. We will not deviate from them. There are no alternatives. We shall brook
no delay.
(6)
There must be eliminated for all time the authority and influence of those who have deceived
and misled the people of Japan into embarking on world conquest, for we insist that a new order of peace security and
justice will be impossible until irresponsible militarism is driven from the world.
(7)
Until such a new order is established and until there is convincing proof that Japan's war-making
power is destroyed, points in Japanese territory to be designated by the Allies shall be occupied to secure the
achievement of the basic objectives we are here setting forth.
(8)
The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out and Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to
the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we determine.
(9)
The Japanese military forces, after being completely disarmed, shall be permitted to return to their
homes with the opportunity to lead peaceful and productive lives.
(10)
We do not intend that the Japanese shall be enslaved as a race or destroyed as a nation, but stern
justice shall be meted out to all war criminals, including those who have visited cruelties upon our prisoners. The Japanese
Government shall remove all obstacles to the revival and strengthening of democratic tendencies among the Japanese
people. Freedom of speech, of religion, and of thought, as well as respect for the fundamental human rights shall be
established.
(11)
Japan shall be permitted to maintain such industries as will sustain her economy and permit
the exaction of just reparations in kind, but not those [industries] which would enable her to re-arm for war. To this end,
access to, as distinguished from control of, raw materials shall be permitted. Eventual Japanese participation in
world trade relations shall be permitted.
(12)
The occupying forces of the Allies shall be withdrawn from Japan as soon as these objectives
have been accomplished and there has been established in accordance with the freely expressed will of the Japanese people
a peacefully inclined and responsible government.
(13)
We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender
of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The
alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction.
The "Potsdam Agreement" was the result of the Potsdam Conference which took place from July 17 to Aug. 2, 1945
in Germany's Potsdam. The delegations of the three participating powers were
represented by US President Harry S. Truman, the British Prime Minister—before
July 26 Winston S. Churchill, after that Clement Attlee—and the Premier of the USSR Joseph V. Stalin.
What is shown above as "B) Proclamation Defining Terms for Japanese Surrender" also became known as "Potsdam Declaration"
issued by US President Truman, UK Prime Minister Churchill and ROC Chairman of the Nationalist Government Chiang Kai-shek 蔣介石.
Below are the Chinese and Japanese translations for both terms "Potsdam Agreement" and "Potsdam Declaration".
After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in Our Empire today, We have decided to
effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure.
We have ordered Our Government to communicate to the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union
that Our Empire accepts the provisions of their Joint Declaration.
To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of Our subjects is the
solemn obligation which has been handed down by Our Imperial Ancestors and which lies close to Our heart.
Indeed, We declared war on America and Britain out of Our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization
of East Asia, it being far from Our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial
aggrandizement.
But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone — the gallant fighting of the
military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State, and the devoted service of Our one hundred million
people — the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned
against her interest.
Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking
the toll of many innocent lives. Should We continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the
Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our
Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers.
We cannot but express the deepest sense of regret to Our Allied nations of East Asia, who have consistently cooperated with the Empire
towards the emancipation of East Asia.
The thought of those officers and men as well as others who have fallen in the fields of battle, those who died at their posts of duty,
or those who met with untimely death and all their bereaved families, pains Our heart night and day.
The welfare of the wounded and the war-sufferers, and of those who have lost their homes and livelihood, are the objects of Our profound
solicitude.
The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost
feelings of all of you, Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a
grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable.
Having been able to safeguard and maintain the structure of the Imperial State, We are always with you, Our good and loyal subjects,
relying upon your sincerity and integrity.
Beware most strictly of any outbursts of emotion which may engender needless complications, or any fraternal contention and strike which
may create confusion, lead you astray and cause you to lose the confidence of the world.
Let the entire nation continue as one family from generation to generation, ever firm in its faith in the imperishability of its sacred
land, and mindful of its heavy burden of responsibility, and of the long road before it.
Unite your total strength, to be devoted to construction for the future. Cultivate the ways of rectitude, foster nobility of spirit, and
work with resolution — so that you may enhance the innate glory of the Imperial State and keep pace with the progress of the world.
Hirohito [signature and official seal]
August 14, 1945
Prime Minister Baron Kantarō Suzuki (signature)
Navy Minister Yonai Mitsumasa (signature)
Minister of Justice Matsuzaka Hiromasa (signature)
Army Minister Korechika Anami (signature)
Minister of Munitions Toyoda Teijirō (signature)
Minister of Health Okada Tadahiko (signature)
Minister of State Sakurai Hyōgorō (signature)
Minister of State Sakonji Seizō (signature)
Minister of State Shimomura Hirosi (signature)
Finance Minister Hirose Toyosaku (signature)
Minister of Education Ōta Kōzō (signature)
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ishiguro Tadaatsu (signature)
Interior Minister Abe Genki (signature)
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Greater East Asia Tōgō Shigenori (signature)
Minister of State Yasui Tōji (signature)
Minister of Transport Kobiyama Naoto (signature)
The Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War is called "Daitōa-sensō-shūketsu-no-shōsho"
(大東亜戦争終結ノ詔書) in Japanese, abbreviated as "Sensō-no-shōsho" (終戦の詔書).
"Jewel Voice Broadcast" in Japanese: Gyokuon-hōsō (玉音放送). It was broadcast in Japan's radio network on Aug. 15, 1945.
A brief timeline of events at the end of WWII concerning the Japanese theater is shown directly below (all dates
in the year 1945).
July 16
Successful test explosion of an atomic bomb in the desert of New Mexico, US (Project Trinity)
July 17
The Potsdam Conference begins, attended by US President Truman, UK PM Churchill and Soviet leader Stalin (concludes on Aug. 2)
Clement Attlee replaces Winston Churchill as British Prime Minister
Aug. 6
The US drop an atomic bomb (uranium-filled gun-type fission weapon nicknamed "Little Boy") on Hiroshima 廣島 (Honshu 本州, Japan), killing more than 70,000
Aug. 7
The USSR declares war against Japan
Aug. 9
The US drop an atomic bomb (plutonium-filled implosion-type nuclear weapon nicknamed "Fat Man") on Nagasaki 長崎 (Kyushu 九州, Japan), killing more than 60,000
"
The USSR begins its invasion of Japanese-occupied Manchuria (Manchukuo)
Aug. 15
Japan’s Emperor Hirohito proclaims that Japan accepts the terms in the Potsdam Declaration
The Act of Surrender is signed by military officials of Japan and the ROC in Nanjing
Oct. 25
Official retrocession of Taiwan and Penghu to China with a formal transfer ceremony in Taipei
Please note that the numbers of fatalities caused by the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in above table are rough estimates based
on online sources only and do not include long-term deaths due to radiation.
J.C.S. 1467/2
17 August 1945
JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
INSTRUMENTS FOR THE SURRENDER OF JAPAN
GENERAL ORDER NO. 1
Note by the Secretaries
General order No. 1 (Enclosure), as approved by the President for issue by the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters by direction of
the Emperor, is circulated for information.
The President approved it with the understanding that it is subject to change both by further instructions issued through the Joint
Chiefs of Staff and by changes in matters of detail made by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in the light of the operational
situation as known by him.
ENCLOSURE (GENERAL ORDER NO. 1) SWNCC21/8
General Order No. 1
MILITARY AND NAVAL
1. The Imperial General Headquarters by direction of the Emperor, and pursuant to the surrender to the Supreme Commander for the
Allied Powers of all Japanese armed forces by the Emperor, hereby orders all of its commanders in Japan and abroad to cause the Japanese
armed forces and Japanese-controlled forces under their command to cease hostilities at once, to lay down their arms, to remain in their
present locations and to surrender unconditionally to commanders acting on behalf of the United States, the Republic of China, the
United Kingdom and the British Empire, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, as indicated hereafter or as may be further directed
by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. Immediate contact will be made with the indicated commanders, or their designated
representatives, subject to any changes in detail prescribed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, and their instructions
will be completely and immediately carried out.
a. The senior Japanese commanders and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces within China (excluding Manchuria), Formosa
and French Indo-China north of 16 north latitude shall surrender to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.
b. The senior Japanese commanders and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces within Manchuria, Korea north of 38 north latitude
and Karafuto shall surrender to the Commander in Chief of Soviet Forces in the Far East.
c. The senior Japanese commanders and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces within the Andamans, Nicobars, Burma, Thailand, French
Indo-China south of 16 degrees north latitude, Malaya, Borneo, Netherlands Indies, New Guinea, Bismarcks and the Solomons, shall surrender
to (the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command or the Commanding General, Australian Forces—the exact breakdown between Mountbatten
and the Australians to be arranged between them and the details of this paragraph then prepared by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers).
d. The senior Japanese commanders and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces in the Japanese Mandated Islands, Ryukyus, Bonins, and
other Pacific Islands shall surrender to the Commander in Chief U. S. Pacific Fleet.
e. The Imperial General Headquarters, its senior commanders, and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces in the main islands of Japan,
minor islands adjacent thereto, Korea south of 38 north latitude, and the Philippines shall surrender to the Commander in Chief, U. S. Army Forces
in the Pacific.
f. The above indicated commanders are the only representatives of the Allied Powers empowered to accept surrenders and all surrenders
of Japanese Forces shall be made only to them or to their representatives.
The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters further orders its commanders in Japan and abroad to disarm completely all forces of Japan or
under Japanese control, wherever they may be situated and to deliver intact and in safe and good condition all weapons and equipment at such
time and at such places as may be prescribed by the Allied Commanders indicated above. (Pending further instructions, the Japanese police force
in the main islands of Japan will be exempt from this disarmament provision. The police force will remain at their posts and shall be held
responsible for the preservation of law and order. The strength and arms of such a police force will be prescribed.)
2. The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters shall furnish to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, within (time limit) of receipt
of this order, complete information with respect to Japan and all areas under Japanese control as follows:
(a) Lists of all land, air and anti-aircraft units showing locations and strengths in officers and men.
(b) Lists of all aircraft, military, naval and civil giving complete information as to the number, type, location and condition of such
aircraft.
(c) Lists of all Japanese and Japanese-controlled naval vessels, surface and submarine and auxiliary naval craft in or out of commission
and under construction giving their position, condition and movement.
(d) Lists of all Japanese and Japanese-controlled merchant ships of over 100 gross tons, in or out of commission and under construction,
including merchant ships formerly belonging to any of the United Nations which are now in Japanese hands, giving their position condition and
movement.
(e) Complete and detailed information, accompanied by maps, showing location and layouts of all mines, minefields and other obstacles to
movement by land, sea or air and the safety lanes in connection therewith.
(f) Locations and descriptions of all military installations and establishments, including airfields, seaplane bases, anti-aircraft defenses,
ports and naval bases, storage depots, permanent and temporary land and coast fortifications, fortresses and other fortified areas.
(g) Locations of all camps and other places of detention of United Nations prisoners of war and civilian internees.
3. Japanese armed forces and civil aviation authorities will insure that all Japanese military, naval and civil aircraft remain on the
ground on the water or abroad ship until further notification of the disposition to be made of them.
4. Japanese or Japanese-controlled naval or merchant vessels of all types will be maintained without damage and will undertake no
movement pending instructions from the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. Vessels at sea will immediately render harmless and throw
overboard explosives of all types. Vessels not at sea will immediately remove explosives of all types to safe storage ashore.
5. Responsible Japanese or Japanese-controlled military and civil authorities will insure that:
a. All Japanese mines, minefields and other obstacles to movement by land, sea and air, wherever located, be removed according to
instructions of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
b. All aids to navigation be reestablished at once.
c. All safety lanes be kept open and clearly marked pending accomplishment of a. above.
6. Responsible Japanese and Japanese-controlled military and civil authorities will hold intact and in good condition pending further
instructions from the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers the following:
a. All arms, ammunition, explosives, military equipment, stores and supplies and other implements of war of all kinds and all other
war material (except as specifically prescribed in Section 4 of this order).
b. All land, water and air transportation and communication facilities and equipment.
c. All military installations and establishments, including airfields, seaplane bases, anti-aircraft defenses, ports and naval bases,
storage depots, permanent and temporary land and coast fortifications, fortresses and other fortified areas, together with plans and drawings
of all such fortifications, installations and establishments.
d. All factories, plants, shops, research institutions, laboratories, testing stations, technical data, patents, plans, drawings and
inventions designed or intended to produce or facilitate the production or use of all implements of war and other material and property used
by or intended for use by any military or paramilitary organizations in connection with their operations.
7. The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters shall furnish to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, within (time limit) of
receipt of this order, complete lists of all the items specified in paragraph a, b and d of Section 6 above, indicating the numbers, types
and locations of each.
8. The manufacture and distribution of all arms, ammunition and implements of war will cease forthwith.
9. With respect to United Nations prisoners of war and civilian internees in the hands of Japanese or Japanese-controlled authorities:
a. The safety and well-being of all United Nations prisoners of war and civilian internees will be scrupulously preserved to include the
administrative and supply services essential to provide adequate food shelter, clothing and medical care until such responsibility is undertaken
by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers;
b. Each camp or other place of detention of United Nations prisoners of war and civilian internees together with its equipment, stores,
records, arms and ammunition will be delivered immediately to the command of the senior officer or designated representative of the prisoner
of war and civilian internees;
c. As directed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, prisoners of war and civilian internees will be transported to places of
safety where they can be accepted by allied authorities;
d. The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters will furnish to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, within (time limit) of the
receipt of this order, complete lists of all United Nations prisoners of war and civilian internees, indicating their location.
10. All Japanese and Japanese-controlled military and civil authorities shall aid and assist the occupation of Japan and Japanese-controlled
areas by forces of the Allied Powers.
11. The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters and appropriate Japanese officials shall be prepared on instructions from Allied occupation
commanders to collect and deliver all arms in the possession of the Japanese civilian population.
12. This and all subsequent instructions issued by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers or other allied military authorities will
be scrupulously and promptly obeyed by Japanese and Japanese-controlled military and civil officials and private persons. Any delay or failure
to comply with the provisions of this or subsequent orders and any action which the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers determines to be
detrimental to the Allied Powers, will incur drastic and summary punishment at the hands of allied military authorities and the Japanese Government.
General Order No. 1 was General Douglas MacArthur's first order to the forces of the Empire of Japan following the surrender of Japan, and its final form was approved by US President Harry S. Truman on Aug. 17, 1945. It instructed Japanese forces
to surrender to designated Allied commanders, reveal all current military deployments, and preserve military equipment
for later disarmament. General Order No. 1 became known to the world when it was announced at the Japanese Surrender Ceremony
on Sept. 2, 1945, being issued by Japan's Imperial General Headquarters that day. Please note that this document is also often
referred to as "SCAP General Order No. 1", SCAP standing for "Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers" or "Supreme Command of Allies
in the Pacific" (in Chinese: zhu Ri mengjun zongsiling 駐日盟軍總司令, in Japanese: rengō kokugun saikō
shireikan sōshireibu 連合国軍最高司令官総司令部). Some sources use the heading "Surrender Order of
the Imperial General Headquarters of Japan".
We, acting by command of and in behalf of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese Government and the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters,
hereby accept the provisions set forth in the declaration issued by the Heads of the Governments of the United States, China, and Great Britain
on 26 July 1945 at Potsdam, and subsequently adhered to by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which four powers are hereafter referred
to as the Allied Powers.
We hereby proclaim the unconditional surrender to the Allied Powers of the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters and of all Japanese armed
forces and all armed forces under the Japanese control wherever situated.
We hereby command all Japanese forces wherever situated and the Japanese people to cease hostilites forthwith, to preserve and save from
damage all ships, aircraft, and military and civil property and to comply with all requirements which my be imposed by the Supreme Commander
for the Allied Powers or by agencies of the Japanese Government at his direction.
We hereby command the Japanese Imperial Headquarters to issue at once orders to the Commanders of all Japanese forces and all forces under
Japanese control wherever situated to surrender unconditionally themselves and all forces under their control.
We hereby command all civil, military and naval officials to obey and enforce all proclamations, and orders and directives deemed by
the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers to be proper to effectuate this surrender and issued by him or under his authority and we direct
all such officials to remain at their posts and to continue to perform their non-combatant duties unless specifically relieved by him or under
his authority.
We hereby undertake for the Emperor, the Japanese Government and their successors to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration
in good faith, and to issue whatever orders and take whatever actions may be required by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers or by any
other designated representative of the Allied Powers for the purpose of giving effect to that Declaration.
We hereby command the Japanese Imperial Government and the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters at once to liberate all allied prisoners
of war and civilian internees now under Japanese control and to provide for their protection, care, maintenance and immediate transportation to
places as directed.
The authority of the Emperor and the Japanese Government to rule the state shall be subject to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers
who will take such steps as he deems proper to effectuate these terms of surrender.
Signed at TOKYO BAY, JAPAN at 0904 I on the SECOND day of SEPTEMBER, 1945
Mamoru Shiegemitsu(By Command and on Behalf of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government) Yoshijiro Umezu(By Command and on Behalf of the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters)
Accepted at TOKYO BAY, JAPAN at 0903 I on the SECOND day of SEPTEMBER, 1945, for the United States, Republic of China, United Kingdom
and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and in the interests of the other United Nations at war with Japan.
Douglas MacArthur(Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers) Chester W. Nimitz(United States Representative) Hsu Yung-ch'ang(Republic of China Representative) Bruce Fraser(United Kingdom Representative) Kuzma Derevyanko(Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Representative) Thomas Blamey(Commonwealth of Australia Representative) Lawrence Moore Cosgrave(Dominion of Canada Representative) Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque(Provisional Government of the French Republic Representative) Conrad E. L. Helfrich(Kingdom of the Netherlands Representative) Leonard M. Isitt(Dominion of New Zealand Representative)
In Japanese, this document is called "Nipponno kōfuku bunsho" (日本の降伏文書). It was signed during a formal ceremony
which took place on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri, marking the end of hostilities in WWII.
1. The Emperor of Japan, the Japanese government and the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters, having recognized the complete military
defeat of the Japanese military forces by the Allied forces and having surrendered unconditionally to the Supreme Commander for the Allied powers.
2. The Supreme Commander for the Allied powers directed by his General Order No. 1 that the senior commanders and all ground, sea, air and
auxiliary forces of Japan within China excluding Manchuria, Formosa and French Indo-China north of 16 degrees north latitude shall surrender
to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.
3. We, the Japanese Commanders of all Japanese forces and auxiliaries in the areas named above, also recognizing the complete military defeat
of the Japanese military forces by the Allied forces, hereby surrender unconditionally all of the forces under our command to Generalissimo
Chiang Kai-shek.
4. All the Japanese forces hereby surrendered will cease hostilities and will remain at the stations they now occupy. They are now non-combatant
troops and in due course will be demobilized.
5. They will assemble, preserve without damage, and turn over to the forces specified by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, all arms, ammunition,
equipment, supplies, records, information and other assets of any kind belonging to the Japanese forces. Pending specific instructions, all Japanese
aircraft, naval units, and merchant ships in the areas named above will be held without damage where they are at present located.
6. All the Allied prisoners of war and civilian internees now under Japanese control in the areas named above will be liberated at once and
the Japanese forces will provide protection, care, maintenance, and transportation to places as directed.
7. Henceforth, all the Japanese forces, hereby surrendered, will be subject to the control of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Their movements
and activities will be dictated by him, and they will obey only the orders and proclamations issued, or authorised, by him, or the orders of
their Japanese commanders based upon his instructions.
8. This act of surrender and all subsequent orders and proclamations of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek to the surrender forces will be issued
at once to the appropriate subordinate commanders and forces and it will be the responsibility of all Japanese commanders and forces to see that
such proclamations and orders are immediately and completely complied with.
9. For any failure or delay, by any member of the forces surrendered hereby to act in accordance with this act of surrender or future orders
or proclamations of the Generalissimo, he will summarily and drastically punish both the violator and his responsible commanders.
Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji, Signatory under orders of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese government and the Japanese
Imperial General Headquarters, and Commander of the Japanese Forces in Central China. (Signature and official seal)
Signed at 9.00 a.m. on Sept. 9 in the 20th year of Showa (1945 AD) in Nanjing, Republic of China.
The Representative of the Republic of China, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain, the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics, and the other Allied Forces at war with Japan, accepted this act of surrender at 9.00 a.m. on Sept. 9 in the 34th year of
the Republic of China (1945 AD) in Nanjing, Republic of China.
Army General Ho Ying-chen, Special Envoy of Supreme Commander in the China Theatre Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, and
Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Army. (Signature and official seal)
Governmental and Administrative Separation of Certain Outlying Areas from Japan
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS of Supreme Commander for Allied Powers
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS
APO 500
20 January 1946
AG 091 (29 Jan 46) GS
(SCAPIN - 677)
MEMORANDUM FOR: IMPERIAL JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
THROUGH: Central Liaison Office, Tokyo.
SUBJECT: Governmental and Administrative Separation of Certain Outlying Areas from Japan.
1. The Imperial Japanese Government is directed to cease exercising, or attempting to exercise, governmental or administrative
authority over any area outside of Japan, or over any government officials and employees or any other persons within such areas.
2. Except as authorized by this Headquarters, the Imperial Japanese Government will not communicate with government officials and
employees or with any other persons outside of Japan for any purpose other than the routine operation of authorized shipping,
communications and weather services.
3. For the purpose of this directive, Japan is defined to include the four main islands of Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and
Shikoku) and the approximately 1,000 smaller adjacent islands, including the Tsushima Islands and the Ryukyu (Nansei) Islands north of
30° North Latitude (excluding Kuchinoshima Island); and excluding (a) Utsuryo (Ullung) Island, Liancourt Rocks (Take Island) and
Quelpart (Saishu or Cheju) Island, (b) the Ryukyu (Nansei) Islands south of 30° North Latitude (including Kuchinoshima Island), the
Izu, Nanpo, Bonin (Ogasawara) and Volcano (Kazan or Iwo) Island Groups, and all the other outlying Pacific Islands [including the
Daito (Ohigashi or Oagari) Island Group, and Parece Vela (Okino-tori), Marcus (Minami-tori) and Ganges (Nakano-tori) Islands], and
(c) the Kurile (Chishima) Islands, the Habomai (Hapomaze) Island Group (including Suisho, Yuri, Akiyuri, Shibotsu and Taraku Islands)
and Shikotan Island.
4. Further areas specifically excluded from the governmental and administrative jurisdiction of the Imperial Japanese Government
are the following: (a) all Pacific Islands seized or occupied under mandate or otherwise by Japan since the beginning of the World War
in 1914, (b) Manchuria, Formosa and the Pescadores, (c) Korea, and (d) Karafuto.
5. The definition of Japan contained in this directive shall also apply to all future directives, memoranda and orders from this
Headquarters unless otherwise specified therein.
6. Nothing in this directive shall be construed as an indication of Allied policy relating to the ultimate determination of the
minor islands referred to in Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration.
7. The Imperial Japanese Government will prepare and submit to this Headquarters a report of all governmental agencies in Japan
the functions of which pertain to areas outside a statement as defined in this directive. Such report will include a statement of the
functions, organization and personnel of each of the agencies concerned.
8. All records of the agencies referred to in paragraph 7 above will be preserved and kept available for inspection by this
Headquarters.
FOR THE SUPREME COMMANDER: H. W. Allen Colonel, AGD. Asst. Adjutant General
Adopted 28 July 1951 by United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Status of Refugees and Stateless Persons
convened under General Assembly resolution 429 (V) of 14 December 1950
Entry into force: 22 April 1954, in accordance with Article 43
Considering that the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approved on 10 December 1948 by the General Assembly have affirmed the principle that human beings shall enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms without discrimination,
Considering that the United Nations has, on various occasions, manifested its profound concern for refugees and endeavoured to assure refugees the widest possible exercise of these fundamental rights and freedoms,
Considering that it is desirable to revise and consolidate previous international agreements relating to the status of refugees and to extend the scope of and the protection accorded by such instruments by means of a new agreement,
Considering that the grant of asylum may place unduly heavy burdens on certain countries, and that a satisfactory solution of a problem of which the United Nations has recognized the international scope and nature cannot therefore be achieved without international co-operation,
Expressing the wish that all States, recognizing the social and humanitarian nature of the problem of refugees, will do everything within their power to prevent this problem from becoming a cause of tension between States,
Noting that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is charged with the task of supervising international conventions providing for the protection of refugees, and recognizing that the effective co-ordination of measures taken to deal with this problem will depend upon the co-operation of States with the High Commissioner,
A. For the purposes of the present Convention, the term "refugee" shall apply to any person who:
(1) Has been considered a refugee under the Arrangements of 12 May 1926 and 30 June 1928 or under the Conventions of 28 October 1933 and 10 February 1938, the Protocol of 14 September 1939 or the Constitution of the International Refugee Organization;
Decisions of non-eligibility taken by the International Refugee Organization during the period of its activities shall not prevent the status of refugee being accorded to persons who fulfil the conditions of paragraph 2 of this section;
(2) As a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951 and owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.
In the case of a person who has more than one nationality, the term "the country of his nationality" shall mean each of the countries of which he is a national, and a person shall not be deemed to be lacking the protection of the country of his nationality if, without any valid reason based on well-founded fear, he has not availed himself of the protection of one of the countries of which he is a national.
B. (1) For the purposes of this Convention, the words "events occurring before 1 January 1951" in article 1, section A, shall be understood to mean either (a) "events occurring in Europe before 1 January 1951"; or (b) "events occurring in Europe or elsewhere before 1 January 1951"; and each Contracting State shall make a declaration at the time of signature, ratification or accession, specifying which of these meanings it applies for the purpose of its obligations under this Convention.
(2) Any Contracting State which has adopted alternative (a) may at any time extend its obligations by adopting alternative (b) by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
C. This Convention shall cease to apply to any person falling under the terms of section A if:
(1) He has voluntarily re-availed himself of the protection of the country of his nationality; or
(2) Having lost his nationality, he has voluntarily reacquired it; or
(3) He has acquired a new nationality, and enjoys the protection of the country of his new nationality; or
(4) He has voluntarily re-established himself in the country which he left or outside which he remained owing to fear of persecution; or
(5) He can no longer, because the circumstances in connection with which he has been recognized as a refugee have ceased to exist, continue to refuse to avail himself of the protection of the country of his nationality;
Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to a refugee falling under section A (1) of this article who is able to invoke compelling reasons arising out of previous persecution for refusing to avail himself of the protection of the country of nationality;
(6) Being a person who has no nationality he is, because the circumstances in connection with which he has been recognized as a refugee have ceased to exist, able to return to the country of his former habitual residence;
Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to a refugee falling under section A (1) of this article who is able to invoke compelling reasons arising out of previous persecution for refusing to return to the country of his former habitual residence.
D. This Convention shall not apply to persons who are at present receiving from organs or agencies of the United Nations other than the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees protection or assistance.
When such protection or assistance has ceased for any reason, without the position of such persons being definitively settled in accordance with the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, these persons shall ipso facto be entitled to the benefits of this Convention.
E. This Convention shall not apply to a person who is recognized by the competent authorities of the country in which he has taken residence as having the rights and obligations which are attached to the possession of the nationality of that country.
F. The provisions of this Convention shall not apply to any person with respect to whom there are serious reasons for considering that:
(a) He has committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity, as defined in the international instruments drawn up to make provision in respect of such crimes;
(b) He has committed a serious non-political crime outside the country of refuge prior to his admission to that country as a refugee;
(c) He has been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 2 - General obligations
Every refugee has duties to the country in which he finds himself, which require in particular that he conform to its laws and regulations as well as to measures taken for the maintenance of public order.
Article 3 - Non-discrimination
The Contracting States shall apply the provisions of this Convention to refugees without discrimination as to race, religion or country of origin.
Article 4 - Religion
The Contracting States shall accord to refugees within their territories treatment at least as favourable as that accorded to their nationals with respect to freedom to practise their religion and freedom as regards the religious education of their children.
Article 5 - Rights granted apart from this Convention
Nothing in this Convention shall be deemed to impair any rights and benefits granted by a Contracting State to refugees apart from this Convention.
Article 6 - The term "in the same circumstances"
For the purposes of this Convention, the term "in the same circumstances" implies that any requirements (including requirements as to length and conditions of sojourn or residence) which the particular individual would have to fulfil for the enjoyment of the right in question, if he were not a refugee, must be fulfilled by him, with the exception of requirements which by their nature a refugee is incapable of fulfilling.
Article 7 - Exemption from reciprocity
1. Except where this Convention contains more favourable provisions, a Contracting State shall accord to refugees the same treatment as is accorded to aliens generally.
2. After a period of three years' residence, all refugees shall enjoy exemption from legislative reciprocity in the territory of the Contracting States.
3. Each Contracting State shall continue to accord to refugees the rights and benefits to which they were already entitled, in the absence of reciprocity, at the date of entry into force of this Convention for that State.
4. The Contracting States shall consider favourably the possibility of according to refugees, in the absence of reciprocity, rights and benefits beyond those to which they are entitled according to paragraphs 2 and 3, and to extending exemption from reciprocity to refugees who do not fulfil the conditions provided for in paragraphs 2 and 3.
5. The provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 apply both to the rights and benefits referred to in articles 13, 18, 19, 21 and 22 of this Convention and to rights and benefits for which this Convention does not provide.
Article 8 - Exemption from exceptional measures
With regard to exceptional measures which may be taken against the person, property or interests of nationals of a foreign State, the Contracting States shall not apply such measures to a refugee who is formally a national of the said State solely on account of such nationality. Contracting States which, under their legislation, are prevented from applying the general principle expressed in this article, shall, in appropriate cases, grant exemptions in favour of such refugees.
Article 9 - Provisional measures
Nothing in this Convention shall prevent a Contracting State, in time of war or other grave and exceptional circumstances, from taking provisionally measures which it considers to be essential to the national security in the case of a particular person, pending a determination by the Contracting State that that person is in fact a refugee and that the continuance of such measures is necessary in his case in the interests of national security.
Article 10 - Continuity of residence
1. Where a refugee has been forcibly displaced during the Second World War and removed to the territory of a Contracting State, and is resident there, the period of such enforced sojourn shall be considered to have been lawful residence within that territory.
2. Where a refugee has been forcibly displaced during the Second World War from the territory of a Contracting State and has, prior to the date of entry into force of this Convention, returned there for the purpose of taking up residence, the period of residence before and after such enforced displacement shall be regarded as one uninterrupted period for any purposes for which uninterrupted residence is required.
Article 11 - Refugee seamen
In the case of refugees regularly serving as crew members on board a ship flying the flag of a Contracting State, that State shall give sympathetic consideration to their establishment on its territory and the issue of travel documents to them or their temporary admission to its territory particularly with a view to facilitating their establishment in another country.
1. The personal status of a refugee shall be governed by the law of the country of his domicile or, if he has no domicile, by the law of the country of his residence.
2. Rights previously acquired by a refugee and dependent on personal status, more particularly rights attaching to marriage, shall be respected by a Contracting State, subject to compliance, if this be necessary, with the formalities required by the law of that State, provided that the right in question is one which would have been recognized by the law of that State had he not become a refugee.
Article 13 - Movable and immovable property
The Contracting States shall accord to a refugee treatment as favourable as possible and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to aliens generally in the same circumstances, as regards the acquisition of movable and immovable property and other rights pertaining thereto, and to leases and other contracts relating to movable and immovable property.
Article 14 - Artistic rights and industrial property
In respect of the protection of industrial property, such as inventions, designs or models, trade marks, trade names, and of rights in literary, artistic and scientific works, a refugee shall be accorded in the country in which he has his habitual residence the same protection as is accorded to nationals of that country. In the territory of any other Contracting States, he shall be accorded the same protection as is accorded in that territory to nationals of the country in which he has his habitual residence.
Article 15 - Right of association
As regards non-political and non-profit-making associations and trade unions the Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their territory the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country, in the same circumstances.
Article 16 - Access to courts
1. A refugee shall have free access to the courts of law on the territory of all Contracting States.
2. A refugee shall enjoy in the Contracting State in which he has his habitual residence the same treatment as a national in matters pertaining to access to the courts, including legal assistance and exemption from cautio judicatum solvi.
3. A refugee shall be accorded in the matters referred to in paragraph 2 in countries other than that in which he has his habitual residence the treatment granted to a national of the country of his habitual residence.
1. The Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their territory the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country in the same circumstances, as regards the right to engage in wage-earning employment.
2. In any case, restrictive measures imposed on aliens or the employment of aliens for the protection of the national labour market shall not be applied to a refugee who was already exempt from them at the date of entry into force of this Convention for the Contracting State concerned, or who fulfils one of the following conditions:
(a) He has completed three years' residence in the country;
(b) He has a spouse possessing the nationality of the country of residence. A refugee may not invoke the benefit of this provision if he has abandoned his spouse;
(c) He has one or more children possessing the nationality of the country of residence.
3. The Contracting States shall give sympathetic consideration to assimilating the rights of all refugees with regard to wage-earning employment to those of nationals, and in particular of those refugees who have entered their territory pursuant to programmes of labour recruitment or under immigration schemes.
Article 18 - Self-employment
The Contracting States shall accord to a refugee lawfully in their territory treatment as favourable as possible and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to aliens generally in the same circumstances, as regards the right to engage on his own account in agriculture, industry, handicrafts and commerce and to establish commercial and industrial companies.
Article 19 - Liberal professions
1. Each Contracting State shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their territory who hold diplomas recognized by the competent authorities of that State, and who are desirous of practising a liberal profession, treatment as favourable as possible and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to aliens generally in the same circumstances.
2. The Contracting States shall use their best endeavours consistently with their laws and constitutions to secure the settlement of such refugees in the territories, other than the metropolitan territory, for whose international relations they are responsible.
Where a rationing system exists, which applies to the population at large and regulates the general distribution of products in short supply, refugees shall be accorded the same treatment as nationals.
Article 21 - Housing
As regards housing, the Contracting States, in so far as the matter is regulated by laws or regulations or is subject to the control of public authorities, shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their territory treatment as favourable as possible and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to aliens generally in the same circumstances.
Article 22 - Public education
1. The Contracting States shall accord to refugees the same treatment as is accorded to nationals with respect to elementary education.
2. The Contracting States shall accord to refugees treatment as favourable as possible, and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to aliens generally in the same circumstances, with respect to education other than elementary education and, in particular, as regards access to studies, the recognition of foreign school certificates, diplomas and degrees, the remission of fees and charges and the award of scholarships.
Article 23 - Public relief
The Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their territory the same treatment with respect to public relief and assistance as is accorded to their nationals.
Article 24 - Labour legislation and social security
1. The Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their territory the same treatment as is accorded to nationals in respect of the following matters;
(a) In so far as such matters are governed by laws or regulations or are subject to the control of administrative authorities: remuneration, including family allowances where these form part of remuneration, hours of work, overtime arrangements, holidays with pay, restrictions on work, minimum age of employment, apprenticeship and training, women's work and the work of young persons, and the enjoyment of the benefits of collective bargaining;
(b) Social security (legal provisions in respect of employment injury, occupational diseases, maternity, sickness, disability, old age, death, unemployment, family responsibilities and any other contingency which, according to national laws or regulations, is covered by a social security scheme), subject to the following limitations:
2. The right to compensation for the death of a refugee resulting from employment injury or from occupational disease shall not be affected by the fact that the residence of the beneficiary is outside the territory of the Contracting State.
3. The Contracting States shall extend to refugees the benefits of agreements concluded between them, or which may be concluded between them in the future, concerning the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in the process of acquisition in regard to social security, subject only to the conditions which apply to nationals of the States signatory to the agreements in question.
4. The Contracting States will give sympathetic consideration to extending to refugees so far as possible the benefits of similar agreements which may at any time be in force between such Contracting States and non-contracting States.
1. When the exercise of a right by a refugee would normally require the assistance of authorities of a foreign country to whom he cannot have recourse, the Contracting States in whose territory he is residing shall arrange that such assistance be afforded to him by their own authorities or by an international authority.
2. The authority or authorities mentioned in paragraph 1 shall deliver or cause to be delivered under their supervision to refugees such documents or certifications as would normally be delivered to aliens by or through their national authorities.
3. Documents or certifications so delivered shall stand in the stead of the official instruments delivered to aliens by or through their national authorities, and shall be given credence in the absence of proof to the contrary.
4. Subject to such exceptional treatment as may be granted to indigent persons, fees may be charged for the services mentioned herein, but such fees shall be moderate and commensurate with those charged to nationals for similar services.
5. The provisions of this article shall be without prejudice to articles 27 and 28.
Article 26 - Freedom of movement
Each Contracting State shall accord to refugees lawfully in its territory the right to choose their place of residence and to move freely within its territory subject to any regulations applicable to aliens generally in the same circumstances.
Article 27 - Identity papers
The Contracting States shall issue identity papers to any refugee in their territory who does not possess a valid travel document.
Article 28 - Travel documents
1. The Contracting States shall issue to refugees lawfully staying in their territory travel documents for the purpose of travel outside their territory, unless compelling reasons of national security or public order otherwise require, and the provisions of the Schedule to this Convention shall apply with respect to such documents. The Contracting States may issue such a travel document to any other refugee in their territory; they shall in particular give sympathetic consideration to the issue of such a travel document to refugees in their territory who are unable to obtain a travel document from the country of their lawful residence.
2. Travel documents issued to refugees under previous international agreements by Parties thereto shall be recognized and treated by the Contracting States in the same way as if they had been issued pursuant to this article.
Article 29 - Fiscal charges
1. The Contracting States shall not impose upon refugees duties, charges or taxes, of any description whatsoever, other or higher than those which are or may be levied on their nationals in similar situations.
2. Nothing in the above paragraph shall prevent the application to refugees of the laws and regulations concerning charges in respect of the issue to aliens of administrative documents including identity papers.
Article 30 - Transfer of assets
1. A Contracting State shall, in conformity with its laws and regulations, permit refugees to transfer assets which they have brought into its territory, to another country where they have been admitted for the purposes of resettlement.
2. A Contracting State shall give sympathetic consideration to the application of refugees for permission to transfer assets wherever they may be and which are necessary for their resettlement in another country to which they have been admitted.
Article 31 - Refugees unlawfully in the country of refuge
1. The Contracting States shall not impose penalties, on account of their illegal entry or presence, on refugees who, coming directly from a territory where their life or freedom was threatened in the sense of article 1, enter or are present in their territory without authorization, provided they present themselves without delay to the authorities and show good cause for their illegal entry or presence.
2. The Contracting States shall not apply to the movements of such refugees restrictions other than those which are necessary and such restrictions shall only be applied until their status in the country is regularized or they obtain admission into another country. The Contracting States shall allow such refugees a reasonable period and all the necessary facilities to obtain admission into another country.
Article 32 - Expulsion
1. The Contracting States shall not expel a refugee lawfully in their territory save on grounds of national security or public order.
2. The expulsion of such a refugee shall be only in pursuance of a decision reached in accordance with due process of law. Except where compelling reasons of national security otherwise require, the refugee shall be allowed to submit evidence to clear himself, and to appeal to and be represented for the purpose before competent authority or a person or persons specially designated by the competent authority.
3. The Contracting States shall allow such a refugee a reasonable period within which to seek legal admission into another country. The Contracting States reserve the right to apply during that period such internal measures as they may deem necessary.
Article 33 - Prohibition of expulsion or return ("refoulement")
1. No Contracting State shall expel or return (" refouler ") a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
2. The benefit of the present provision may not, however, be claimed by a refugee whom there are reasonable grounds for regarding as a danger to the security of the country in which he is, or who, having been convicted by a final judgement of a particularly serious crime, constitutes a danger to the community of that country.
Article 34 - Naturalization
The Contracting States shall as far as possible facilitate the assimilation and naturalization of refugees. They shall in particular make every effort to expedite naturalization proceedings and to reduce as far as possible the charges and costs of such proceedings.
Article 35 - Co-operation of the national authorities with the United Nations
1. The Contracting States undertake to co-operate with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or any other agency of the United Nations which may succeed it, in the exercise of its functions, and shall in particular facilitate its duty of supervising the application of the provisions of this Convention.
2. In order to enable the Office of the High Commissioner or any other agency of the United Nations which may succeed it, to make reports to the competent organs of the United Nations, the Contracting States undertake to provide them in the appropriate form with information and statistical data requested concerning:
(a) The condition of refugees,
(b) The implementation of this Convention, and
(c) Laws, regulations and decrees which are, or may hereafter be, in force relating to refugees.
Article 36 - Information on national legislation
The Contracting States shall communicate to the Secretary-General of the United Nations the laws and regulations which they may adopt to ensure the application of this Convention.
Article 37 - Relation to previous conventions
Without prejudice to article 28, paragraph 2, of this Convention, this Convention replaces, as between Parties to it, the Arrangements of 5 July 1922, 31 May 1924, 12 May 1926, 30 June 1928 and 30 July 1935, the Conventions of 28 October 1933 and 10 February 1938, the Protocol of 14 September 1939 and the Agreement of 15 October 1946.
Any dispute between Parties to this Convention relating to its interpretation or application, which cannot be settled by other means, shall be referred to the International Court of Justice at the request of any one of the parties to the dispute.
Article 39 - Signature, ratification and accession
1. This Convention shall be opened for signature at Geneva on 28 July 1951 and shall thereafter be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. It shall be open for signature at the European Office of the United Nations from 28 July to 31 August 1951 and shall be re-opened for signature at the Headquarters of the United Nations from 17 September 1951 to 31 December 1952.
2. This Convention shall be open for signature on behalf of all States Members of the United Nations, and also on behalf of any other State invited to attend the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Status of Refugees and Stateless Persons or to which an invitation to sign will have been addressed by the General Assembly. It shall be ratified and the instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
3. This Convention shall be open from 28 July 1951 for accession by the States referred to in paragraph 2 of this article. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 40 - Territorial application clause
1. Any State may, at the time of signature, ratification or accession, declare that this Convention shall extend to all or any of the territories for the international relations of which it is responsible. Such a declaration shall take effect when the Convention enters into force for the State concerned.
2. At any time thereafter any such extension shall be made by notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and shall take effect as from the ninetieth day after the day of receipt by the Secretary-General of the United Nations of this notification, or as from the date of entry into force of the Convention for the State concerned, whichever is the later.
3. With respect to those territories to which this Convention is not extended at the time of signature, ratification or accession, each State concerned shall consider the possibility of taking the necessary steps in order to extend the application of this Convention to such territories, subject, where necessary for constitutional reasons, to the consent of the Governments of such territories.
Article 41 - Federal clause
In the case of a Federal or non-unitary State, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) With respect to those articles of this Convention that come within the legislative jurisdiction of the federal legislative authority, the obligations of the Federal Government shall to this extent be the same as those of parties which are not Federal States;
(b) With respect to those articles of this Convention that come within the legislative jurisdiction of constituent States, provinces or cantons which are not, under the constitutional system of the Federation, bound to take legislative action, the Federal Government shall bring such articles with a favourable recommendation to the notice of the appropriate authorities of States, provinces or cantons at the earliest possible moment;
(c) A Federal State Party to this Convention shall, at the request of any other Contracting State transmitted through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, supply a statement of the law and practice of the Federation and its constituent units in regard to any particular provision of the Convention showing the extent to which effect has been given to that provision by legislative or other action.
Article 42 - Reservations
1. At the time of signature, ratification or accession, any State may make reservations to articles of the Convention other than to articles 1, 3, 4, 16 (1), 33, 36-46 inclusive.
2. Any State making a reservation in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article may at any time withdraw the reservation by a communication to that effect addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 43 - Entry into force
1. This Convention shall come into force on the ninetieth day following the day of deposit of the sixth instrument of ratification or accession.
2. For each State ratifying or acceding to the Convention after the deposit of the sixth instrument of ratification or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day following the date of deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification or accession.
Article 44 - Denunciation
1. Any Contracting State may denounce this Convention at any time by a notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
2. Such denunciation shall take effect for the Contracting State concerned one year from the date upon which it is received by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
3. Any State which has made a declaration or notification under article 40 may, at any time thereafter, by a notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, declare that the Convention shall cease to extend to such territory one year after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General.
Article 45 - Revision
1. Any Contracting State may request revision of this Convention at any time by a notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
2. The General Assembly of the United Nations shall recommend the steps, if any, to be taken in respect of such request.
Article 46 - Notifications by the Secretary-General of the United Nations
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all Members of the United Nations and non-member States referred to in article 39:
(a) Of declarations and notifications in accordance with section B of article 1;
(b) Of signatures, ratifications and accessions in accordance with article 39;
(c) Of declarations and notifications in accordance with article 40;
(d) Of reservations and withdrawals in accordance with article 42;
(e) Of the date on which this Convention will come into force in accordance with article 43;
(f) Of denunciations and notifications in accordance with article 44;
(g) Of requests for revision in accordance with article 45.
In faith whereof the undersigned, duly authorized, have signed this Convention on behalf of their respective Governments.
Done at Geneva, this twenty-eighth day of July, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-one, in a single copy, of which the English and French texts are equally authentic and which shall remain deposited in the archives of the United Nations, and certified true copies of which shall be delivered to all Members of the United Nations and to the non-member States referred to in article 39.
The Convention relating to the Status of Refugees was adopted by the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Status of Refugees and Stateless Persons, held at Geneva July 2–25, 1951. The Conference was convened pursuant to resolution 429 (V), adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on Dec. 14, 1950.
China is not listed among the signatories but mentioned under the category "Accession" with the date Sept. 24, 1982. Under the headline "Declarations and Reservations", it says that China is "[subject to] reservations on the following articles:
(1). The latter half of article 14, which reads 'In the territory of any other Contracting State, he shall be accorded the same protection as is accorded in that territory to nationals of the country in which he has his habitual residence.'
(2). Article 16 (3)."
Signed at San Francisco, 8 September 1951 Initial entry into force: 28 April 1952
TREATY OFPEACE WITHJAPAN
WHEREAS the Allied Powers and Japan are resolved that henceforth their relations shall be those of nations which, as sovereign equals,
cooperate in friendly association to promote their common welfare and to maintain international peace and security, and are therefore desirous
of concluding a Treaty of Peace which will settle questions still outstanding as a result of the existence of a state of war between them;
WHEREAS Japan for its part declares its intention to apply for membership in the United Nations and in all circumstances to conform to the
principles of the Charter of the United Nations; to strive to realize the objectives of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; to seek to
create within Japan conditions of stability and well-being as defined in Articles 55 and 56 of the Charter of the United Nations and already
initiated by post-surrender Japanese legislation; and in public and private trade and commerce to conform to internationally accepted fair
practices;
WHEREAS the Allied Powers welcome the intentions of Japan set out in the foregoing paragraph;
THE ALLIED POWERS AND JAPAN have therefore determined to conclude the present Treaty of Peace, and have accordingly appointed the
undersigned Plenipotentiaries, who, after presentation of their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed on the following
provisions:
(a) The state of war between Japan and each of the Allied Powers is terminated as from the date on which the present Treaty comes into
force between Japan and the Allied Power concerned as provided for in Article 23.
(b) The Allied Powers recognize the full sovereignty of the Japanese people over Japan and its territorial waters.
(a) Japan recognizing the independence of Korea, renounces all right, title and claim to Korea, including the islands of Quelpart,
Port Hamilton and Dagelet.
(b) Japan renounces all right, title and claim to Formosa and the Pescadores.
(c) Japan renounces all right, title and claim to the Kurile Islands, and to that portion of Sakhalin and the islands adjacent to it over
which Japan acquired sovereignty as a consequence of the Treaty of Portsmouth of 5 September 1905.
(d) Japan renounces all right, title and claim in connection with the League of Nations Mandate System, and accepts the action of the
United Nations Security Council of 2 April 1947, extending the trusteeship system to the Pacific Islands formerly under mandate to Japan.
(e) Japan renounces all claim to any right or title to or interest in connection with any part of the Antarctic area, whether deriving
from the activities of Japanese nationals or otherwise.
(f) Japan renounces all right, title and claim to the Spratly Islands and to the Paracel Islands.
Article 3
Japan will concur in any proposal of the United States to the United Nations to place under its trusteeship system, with the United States
as the sole administering authority, Nansei Shoto south of 29 deg. north latitude (including the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands), Nanpo
Shoto south of Sofu Gan (including the Bonin Islands, Rosario Island and the Volcano Islands) and Parece Vela and Marcus Island. Pending the
making of such a proposal and affirmative action thereon, the United States will have the right to exercise all and any powers of administration,
legislation and jurisdiction over the territory and inhabitants of these islands, including their territorial waters.
Article 4
(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Article, the disposition of property of Japan and of its nationals in the areas
referred to in Article 2, and their claims, including debts, against the authorities presently administering such areas and the residents
(including juridical persons) thereof, and the disposition in Japan of property of such authorities and residents, and of claims, including
debts, of such authorities and residents against Japan and its nationals, shall be the subject of special arrangements between Japan and
such authorities. The property of any of the Allied Powers or its nationals in the areas referred to in Article 2 shall, insofar as this
has not already been done, be returned by the administering authority in the condition in which it now exists. (The term nationals whenever
used in the present Treaty includes juridical persons.)
(b) Japan recognizes the validity of dispositions of property of Japan and Japanese nationals made by or pursuant to directives of
the United States Military Government in any of the areas referred to in Articles 2 and 3.
(c) Japanese owned submarine cables connection Japan with territory removed from Japanese control pursuant to the present Treaty shall
be equally divided, Japan retaining the Japanese terminal and adjoining half of the cable, and the detached territory the remainder of the
cable and connecting terminal facilities.
(a) Japan accepts the obligations set forth in Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular the obligations
(i) to settle its international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not
endangered;
(ii) to refrain in its international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence
of any State or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations;
(iii) to give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter and to refrain from giving assistance
to any State against which the United Nations may take preventive or enforcement action.
(b) The Allied Powers confirm that they will be guided by the principles of Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations in their
relations with Japan.
(c) The Allied Powers for their part recognize that Japan as a sovereign nation possesses the inherent right of individual or collective
self-defense referred to in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and that Japan may voluntarily enter into collective security
arrangements.
Article 6
(a) All occupation forces of the Allied Powers shall be withdrawn from Japan as soon as possible after the coming into force of the
present Treaty, and in any case not later than 90 days thereafter. Nothing in this provision shall, however, prevent the stationing or
retention of foreign armed forces in Japanese territory under or in consequence of any bilateral or multilateral agreements which have
been or may be made between one or more of the Allied Powers, on the one hand, and Japan on the other.
(b) The provisions of Article 9 of the Potsdam Proclamation of 26 July 1945, dealing with the return of Japanese military forces to
their homes, to the extent not already completed, will be carried out.
(c) All Japanese property for which compensation has not already been paid, which was supplied for the use of the occupation forces
and which remains in the possession of those forces at the time of the coming into force of the present Treaty, shall be returned to the
Japanese Government within the same 90 days unless other arrangements are made by mutual agreement.
(a) Each of the Allied Powers, within one year after the present Treaty has come into force between it and Japan, will notify Japan
which of its prewar bilateral treaties or conventions with Japan it wishes to continue in force or revive, and any treaties or conventions
so notified shall continue in force or by revived subject only to such amendments as may be necessary to ensure conformity with the present
Treaty. The treaties and conventions so notified shall be considered as having been continued in force or revived three months after the
date of notification and shall be registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations. All such treaties and conventions as to which Japan
is not so notified shall be regarded as abrogated.
(b) Any notification made under paragraph (a) of this Article may except from the operation or revival of a treaty or convention any
territory for the international relations of which the notifying Power is responsible, until three months after the date on which notice
is given to Japan that such exception shall cease to apply.
Article 8
(a) Japan will recognize the full force of all treaties now or hereafter concluded by the Allied Powers for terminating the state of
war initiated on 1 September 1939, as well as any other arrangements by the Allied Powers for or in connection with the restoration of
peace. Japan also accepts the arrangements made for terminating the former League of Nations and Permanent Court of International Justice.
(b) Japan renounces all such rights and interests as it may derive from being a signatory power of the Conventions of St. Germain-en-Laye
of 10 September 1919, and the Straits Agreement of Montreux of 20 July 1936, and from Article 16 of the Treaty of Peace with Turkey signed
at Lausanne on 24 July 1923.
(c) Japan renounces all rights, title and interests acquired under, and is discharged from all obligations resulting from, the Agreement
between Germany and the Creditor Powers of 20 January 1930 and its Annexes, including the Trust Agreement, dated 17 May 1930, the Convention
of 20 January 1930, respecting the Bank for International Settlements; and the Statutes of the Bank for International Settlements. Japan will
notify to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris within six months of the first coming into force of the present Treaty its renunciation of
the rights, title and interests referred to in this paragraph.
Article 9
Japan will enter promptly into negotiations with the Allied Powers so desiring for the conclusion of bilateral and multilateral agreements
providing for the regulation or limitation of fishing and the conservation and development of fisheries on the high seas.
Article 10
Japan renounces all special rights and interests in China, including all benefits and privileges resulting from the provisions of the
final Protocol signed at Peking on 7 September 1901, and all annexes, notes and documents supplementary thereto, and agrees to the abrogation
in respect to Japan of the said protocol, annexes, notes and documents.
Article 11
Japan accepts the judgments of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and of other Allied War Crimes Courts both within
and outside Japan, and will carry out the sentences imposed thereby upon Japanese nationals imprisoned in Japan. The power to grant clemency,
to reduce sentences and to parole with respect to such prisoners may not be exercised except on the decision of the Government or Governments
which imposed the sentence in each instance, and on recommendation of Japan. In the case of persons sentenced by the International Military Tribunal
for the Far East, such power may not be exercised except on the decision of a majority of the Governments represented on the Tribunal, and on
the recommendation of Japan.
Article 12
(a) Japan declares its readiness promptly to enter into negotiations for the conclusion with each of the Allied Powers of treaties or
agreements to place their trading, maritime and other commercial relations on a stable and friendly basis.
(b) Pending the conclusion of the relevant treaty or agreement, Japan will, during a period of four years from the first coming into force
of the present Treaty
(1) accord to each of the Allied Powers, its nationals, products and vessels
(i) most-favoured-nation treatment with respect to customs duties, charges, restrictions and other regulations on or in connection with the
importation and exportation of goods;
(ii) national treatment with respect to shipping, navigation and imported goods, and with respect to natural and juridical persons and their
interests — such treatment to include all matters pertaining to the levying and collection of taxes, access to the courts, the making and
performance of contracts, rights to property (tangible and intangible), participating in juridical entities constituted under Japanese law,
and generally the conduct of all kinds of business and professional activities;
(2) ensure that external purchases and sales of Japanese state trading enterprises shall be based solely on commercial considerations.
(c) In respect to any matter, however, Japan shall be obliged to accord to an Allied Power national treatment, or most-favoured-nation
treatment, only to the extent that the Allied Power concerned accords Japan national treatment or most-favoured-nation treatment, as the case
may be, in respect of the same matter. The reciprocity envisaged in the foregoing sentence shall be determined, in the case of products,
vessels and juridical entities of, and persons domiciled in, any non-metropolitan territory of an Allied Power, and in the case of juridical
entities of, and persons domiciled in, any state or province of an Allied Power having a federal government, by reference to the treatment
accorded to Japan in such territory, state or province.
(d) In the application of this Article, a discriminatory measure shall not be considered to derogate from the grant of national or
most-favoured-nation treatment, as the case may be, if such measure is based on an exception customarily provided for in the commercial
treaties of the party applying it, or on the need to safeguard that party's external financial position or balance of payments (except
in respect to shiping and navigation), or on the need to maintain its essential security interests, and provided such measure is proportionate
to the circumstances and not applied in an arbitrary or unreasonable manner.
(e) Japan's obligations under this Article shall not be affected by the exercise of any Allied rights under Article 14 of the present
Treaty; nor shall the provisions of this Article be understood as limiting the undertakings assumed by Japan by virtue of Article 15 of the
Treaty.
Article 13
(a) Japan will enter into negotiations with any of the Allied Powers, promptly upon the request of such Power or Powers, for the
conclusion of bilateral or multilateral agreements relating to international civil air transport.
(b) Pending the conclusion of such agreement or agreements, Japan will, during a period of four years from the first coming into force
of the present Treaty, extend to such Power treatment not less favourable with respect to air-traffic rights and privileges than those exercised
by any such Powers at the date of such coming into force, and will accord complete equality of opportunity in respect to the operation and
development of air services.
(c) Pending its becoming a party to the Convention on International Civil Aviation in accordance with Article 93 thereof, Japan will
give effect to the provisions of that Convention applicable to the international navigation of aircraft, and will give effect to the standards,
practices and procedures adopted as annexes to the Convention in accordance with the terms of the Convention.
(a) It is recognized that Japan should pay reparations to the Allied Powers for the damage and suffering caused by it during the war.
Nevertheless it is also recognized that the resources of Japan are not presently sufficient, if it is to maintain a viable economy, to make
complete reparation for all such damage and suffering and at the same time meet its other obligations.
Therefore,
1. Japan will promptly enter into negotiations with Allied Powers so desiring, whose present territories were occupied by Japanese
forces and damaged by Japan, with a view to assisting to compensate those countries for the cost of repairing the damage done, by making
available the services of the Japanese people in production, salvaging and other work for the Allied Powers in question. Such arrangements
shall avoid the imposition of additional liabilities on other Allied Powers, and, where the manufacturing of raw materials is called for,
they shall be supplied by the Allied Powers in question, so as not to throw any foreign exchange burden upon Japan.
2. (I) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (II) below, each of the Allied Powers shall have the right to seize, retain, liquidate
or otherwise dispose of all property, rights and interests of
(a) Japan and Japanese nationals,
(b) persons acting for or on behalf of Japan or Japanese nationals, and
(c) entities owned or controlled by Japan or Japanese nationals,
which on the first coming into force of the present Treaty were subject to its jurisdiction. The property, rights and interests
specified in this subparagraph shall include those now blocked, vested or in the possession or under the control of enemy property authorities
of Allied Powers, which belong to, or were held or managed on behalf of, any of the persons or entities mentioned in (a), (b) or (c) above at
the time such assets came under the controls of such authorities.
(II) The following shall be excepted from the right specified in subparagraph (I) above:
(i) property of Japanese natural persons who during the war resided with the permission of the Government concerned in the territory of
one of the Allied Powers, other than territory occupied by Japan, except property subjected to restrictions during the war and not released
from such restrictions as of the date of the first coming into force of the present Treaty;
(ii) all real property, furniture and fixtures owned by the Government of Japan and used for diplomatic or consular purposes, and all
personal furniture and furnishings and other private property not of an investment nature which was normally necessary for the carrying out
of diplomatic and consular functions, owned by Japanese diplomatic and consular personnel;
(iii) property belonging to religious bodies or private charitable institutions and used exclusively for religious or charitable purposes;
(iv) property, rights and interests which have come within its jurisdiction in consequence of the resumption of trade and financial relations
subsequent to 2 September 1945, between the country concerned and Japan, except such as have resulted from transactions contrary to the laws of
the Allied Power concerned;
(v) obligations of Japan or Japanese nationals, any right, title or interest in tangible property located in Japan, interests in enterprises
organized under the laws of Japan, or any paper evidence thereof; provided that this exception shall only apply to obligations of Japan and its
nationals expressed in Japanese currency.
(III) Property referred to in exceptions (i) through (v) above shall be returned subject to reasonable expenses for its preservation and
administration. If any such property has been liquidated the proceeds shall be returned instead.
(IV) The right to seize, retain, liquidate or otherwise dispose of property as provided in subparagraph (I) above shall be exercised in
accordance with the laws of the Allied Power concerned, and the owner shall have only such rights as may be given him by those laws.
(V) The Allied Powers agree to deal with Japanese trademarks and literary and artistic property rights on a basis as favourable to Japan
as circumstances ruling in each country will permit.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in the present Treaty, the Allied Powers waive all reparations claims of the Allied Powers, other claims
of the Allied Powers and their nationals arising out of any actions taken by Japan and its nationals in the course of the prosecution of the war,
and claims of the Allied Powers for direct military costs of occupation.
Article 15
(a) Upon application made within nine months of the coming into force of the present Treaty between Japan and the Allied Power concerned,
Japan will, within six months of the date of such application, return the property, tangible and intangible, and all rights or interests of any
kind in Japan of each Allied Power and its nationals which was within Japan at any time between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, unless
the owner has freely disposed thereof without duress or fraud. Such property shall be returned free of all encumbrances and charges to which
it may have become subject because of the war, and without any charges for its return. Property whose return is not applied for by or on behalf
of the owner or by his Government within the prescribed period may be disposed of by the Japanese Government as it may determine. In cases where
such property was within Japan on 7 December 1941, and cannot be returned or has suffered injury or damage as a result of the war, compensation
will be made on terms not less favourable than the terms provided in the draft Allied Powers Property Compensation Law approved by the Japanese
Cabinet on 13 July 1951.
(b) With respect to industrial property rights impaired during the war, Japan will continue to accord to the Allied Powers and their
nationals benefits no less than those heretofore accorded by Cabinet Orders No. 309 effective 1 September 1949, No. 12 effective 28 January
1950, and No. 9 effective 1 February 1950, all as now amended, provided such nationals have applied for such benefits within the time
limits prescribed therein.
(c) (i) Japan acknowledges that the literary and artistic property rights which existed in Japan on 6 December 1941, in respect to the
published and unpublished works of the Allied Powers and their nationals have continued in force since that date, and recognizes those rights
which have arisen, or but for the war would have arisen, in Japan since that date, by the operation of any conventions and agreements to which
Japan was a party on that date, irrespective of whether or not such conventions or agreements were abrogated or suspended upon or since the
outbreak of war by the domestic law of Japan or of the Allied Power concerned.
(ii) Without the need for application by the proprietor of the right and without the payment of any fee or compliance with any other
formality, the period from 7 December 1941 until the coming into force of the present Treaty between Japan and the Allied Power concerned
shall be excluded from the running of the normal term of such rights; and such period, with an additional period of six months, shall be
excluded from the time within which a literary work must be translated into Japanese in order to obtain translating rights in Japan.
Article 16
As an expression of its desire to indemnify those members of the armed forces of the Allied Powers who suffered undue hardships while
prisoners of war of Japan, Japan will transfer its assets and those of its nationals in countries which were neutral during the war, or which
were at war with any of the Allied Powers, or, at its option, the equivalent of such assets, to the International Committee of the Red Cross
which shall liquidate such assets and distribute the resultant fund to appropriate national agencies, for the benefit of former prisoners of
war and their families on such basis as it may determine to be equitable. The categories of assets described in Article 14(a)2(II)(ii)
through (v) of the present Treaty shall be excepted from transfer, as well as assets of Japanese natural persons not residents of Japan
on the first coming into force of the Treaty. It is equally understood that the transfer provision of this Article has no application to
the 19,770 shares in the Bank for International Settlements presently owned by Japanese financial institutions.
Article 17
(a) Upon the request of any of the Allied Powers, the Japanese Government shall review and revise in conformity with international
law any decision or order of the Japanese Prize Courts in cases involving ownership rights of nationals of that Allied Power and shall
supply copies of all documents comprising the records of these cases, including the decisions taken and orders issued. In any case in
which such review or revision shows that restoration is due, the provisions of Article 15 shall apply to the property concerned.
(b) The Japanese Government shall take the necessary measures to enable nationals of any of the Allied Powers at any time within one
year from the coming into force of the present Treaty between Japan and the Allied Power concerned to submit to the appropriate Japanese
authorities for review any judgment given by a Japanese court between 7 December 1941 and such coming into force, in any proceedings in
which any such national was unable to make adequate presentation of his case either as plaintiff or defendant. The Japanese Government
shall provide that, where the national has suffered injury by reason of any such judgment, he shall be restored in the position in which
he was before the judgment was given or shall be afforded such relief as may be just and equitable in the circumstances.
Article 18
(a) It is recognized that the intervention of the state of war has not affected the obligation to pay pecuniary debts arising out of
obligations and contracts (including those in respect of bonds) which existed and rights which were acquired before the existence of a
state of war, and which are due by the Government or nationals of Japan to the Government or nationals of one of the Allied Powers, or are
due by the Government or nationals of one of the Allied Powers to the Government or nationals of Japan. The intervention of a state of war
shall equally not be regarded as affecting the obligation to consider on their merits claims for loss or damage to property or for personal
injury or death which arose before the existence of a state of war, and which may be presented or re-presented by the Government of one of
the Allied Powers to the Government of Japan, or by the Government of Japan to any of the Governments of the Allied Powers. The provisions
of this paragraph are without prejudice to the rights conferred by Article 14.
(b) Japan affirms its liability for the prewar external debt of the Japanese State and for debts of corporate bodies subsequently
declared to be liabilities of the Japanese State, and expresses its intention to enter into negotiations at an early date with its creditors
with respect to the resumption of payments on those debts; to encourage negotiations in respect to other prewar claims and obligations; and
to facilitate the transfer of sums accordingly.
Article 19
(a) Japan waives all claims of Japan and its nationals against the Allied Powers and their nationals arising out of the war or out of
actions taken because of the existence of a state of war, and waives all claims arising from the presence, operations or actions of forces
or authorities of any of the Allied Powers in Japanese territory prior to the coming into force of the present Treaty.
(b) The foregoing waiver includes any claims arising out of actions taken by any of the Allied Powers with respect to Japanese ships
between 1 September 1939 and the coming into force of the present Treaty, as well as any claims and debts arising in respect to Japanese
prisoners of war and civilian internees in the hands of the Allied Powers, but does not include Japanese claims specificially recognized
in the laws of any Allied Power enacted since 2 September 1945.
(c) Subject to reciprocal renunciation, the Japanese Government also renounces all claims (including debts) against Germany and German
nationals on behalf of the Japanese Government and Japanese nationals, including intergovernmental claims and claims for loss or damage
sustained during the war, but excepting (a) claims in respect of contracts entered into and rights acquired before 1 September 1939, and
(b) claims arising out of trade and financial relations between Japan and Germany after 2 September 1945. Such renunciation shall not
prejudice actions taken in accordance with Articles 16 and 20 of the present Treaty.
(d) Japan recognizes the validity of all acts and omissions done during the period of occupation under or in consequence of directives
of the occupation authorities or authorized by Japanese law at that time, and will take no action subjecting Allied nationals to civil or
criminal liability arising out of such acts or omissions.
Article 20
Japan will take all necessary measures to ensure such disposition of German assets in Japan as has been or may be determined by those
powers entitled under the Protocol of the proceedings of the Berlin Conference of 1945 to dispose of those assets, and pending the final
disposition of such assets will be responsible for the conservation and administration thereof.
Article 21
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 25 of the present Treaty, China shall be entitled to the benefits of Articles 10 and 14(a)2;
and Korea to the benefits of Articles 2, 4, 9 and 12 of the present Treaty.
If in the opinion of any Party to the present Treaty there has arisen a dispute concerning the interpretation or execution of the Treaty,
which is not settled by reference to a special claims tribunal or by other agreed means, the dispute shall, at the request of any party thereto,
be referred for decision to the International Court of Justice. Japan and those Allied Powers which are not already parties to the Statute of
the International Court of Justice will deposit with the Registrar of the Court, at the time of their respective ratifications of the present
Treaty, and in conformity with the resolution of the United Nations Security Council, dated 15 October 1946, a general declaration accepting
the jurisdiction, without special agreement, of the Court generally in respect to all disputes of the character referred to in this Article.
(a) The present Treaty shall be ratified by the States which sign it, including Japan, and will come into force for all the States which
have then ratified it, when instruments of ratification have been deposited by Japan and by a majority, including the United States of America
as the principal occupying Power, of the following States, namely Australia, Canada, Ceylon, France, Indonesia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands,
New Zealand, Pakistan, the Republic of the Philippines, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of
America. The present Treaty shall come into force of each State which subsequently ratifies it, on the date of the deposit of its instrument
of ratification.
(b) If the Treaty has not come into force within nine months after the date of the deposit of Japan's ratification, any State which has
ratified it may bring the Treaty into force between itself and Japan by a notification to that effect given to the Governments of Japan and
the United States of America not later than three years after the date of deposit of Japan's ratification.
Article 24
All instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Government of the United States of America which will notify all the signatory
States of each such deposit, of the date of the coming into force of the Treaty under paragraph (a) of Article 23, and of any notifications made
under paragraph (b) of Article 23.
Article 25
For the purposes of the present Treaty the Allied Powers shall be the States at war with Japan, or any State which previously formed a
part of the territory of a State named in Article 23, provided that in each case the State concerned has signed and ratified the Treaty.
Subject to the provisions of Article 21, the present Treaty shall not confer any rights, titles or benefits on any State which is not an
Allied Power as herein defined; nor shall any right, title or interest of Japan be deemed to be diminished or prejudiced by any provision
of the Treaty in favour of a State which is not an Allied Power as so defined.
Article 26
Japan will be prepared to conclude with any State which signed or adhered to the United Nations Declaration of 1 January 1942, and
which is at war with Japan, or with any State which previously formed a part of the territory of a State named in Article 23, which is
not a signatory of the present Treaty, a bilateral Treaty of Peace on the same or substantially the same terms as are provided for in the
present Treaty, but this obligation on the part of Japan will expire three years after the first coming into force of the present Treaty.
Should Japan make a peace settlement or war claims settlement with any State granting that State greater advantages than those provided
by the present Treaty, those same advantages shall be extended to the parties to the present Treaty.
Article 27
The present Treaty shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the United States of America which shall furnish each
signatory State with a certified copy thereof.
IN FAITH WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty.
DONE at the city of San Francisco this eighth day of September 1951, in the English, French, and Spanish languages, all being equally
authentic, and in the Japanese language.
For Argentina: Hipólito J. PAZ
For Australia: Percy C. SPENDER
For Belgium: Paul VAN ZEELAND SILVERCRUYS
For Bolivia: Luis GUACHALLA
For Brazil: Carlos MARTINS, A. DE MELLO-FRANCO
For Cambodia: PHLENG
For Canada: Lester B. PEARSON, R.W. MAYHEW
For Ceylon: J.R. JAYEWARDENE, G.C.S. COREA, R.G. SENANAYAKE
For Chile: F. NIETO DEL RÍO
For Colombia: Cipríano RESTREPO JARAMILLO, Sebastián OSPINA
For Costa Rica: J. Rafael OREAMUNO, V. VARGAS, Luis DOBLES SÁNCHEZ
For Cuba: O. GANS, L. MACHADO, Joaquín MEYER
For the Dominican Republic: V. ORDÓÑEZ, Luis F. THOMEN
For Ecuador: A. QUEVEDO, R.G. VALENZUELA
For Egypt: Kamil A. RAHIM
For El Salvador: Héctor DAVID CASTRO, Luis RIVAS PALACIOS
For Ethiopia: Men YAYEJIJRAD
For France: SCHUMANN, H. BONNET, Paul-Émile NAGGIAR
For Greece: A.G. POLITIS
For Guatemala: E. CASTILLO A., A.M. ORELLANA, J. MENDOZA
For Haiti: Jacques N. LÉGER, Gust. LARAQUE
For Honduras: J.E. VALENZUELA, Roberto GÁLVEZ B., Raúl ALVARADO T.
For Indonesia: Ahmad SUBARDJO
For Iran: A.G. ARDALAN
For Iraq: A.I. BAKR
For Laos: SAVANG
For Lebanon: Charles MALIK
For Liberia: Gabriel L. DENNIS, James ANDERSON, Raymond HORACE, J. Rudolf GRIMES
For the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: Hugues LE GALLAIS
For Mexico: Rafael DE LA COLINA, Gustavo DÍAZ ORDAZ, A.P. GASGA
For the Netherlands: D.U. STIKKER, J.H. VAN ROIJEN
For New Zealand: C. BERENDSEN
For Nicaragua: G. SEVILLA SACASA, Gustavo MANZANARES
For Norway: Wilhelm Munthe MORGENSTERNE
For Pakistan: ZAFRULLAH KHAN
For Panama: Ignacio MOLINO, José A. REMON, Alfredo ALEMÁN, J. CORDOVEZ
For Peru: Luis Oscar BOETTNER
For the Republic of the Philippines: Carlos P. RÓMULO, J.M. ELIZALDE, Vicente FRANCISCO, Diosdado MACAPAGAL, Emiliano T.
TIRONA, V.G. SINCO
For Saudi Arabia: Asad AL-FAQIH
For Syria: F. EL-KHOURI
For Turkey: Feridun C. ERKIN
For the Union of South Africa: G.P. JOOSTE
For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Herbert MORRISON, Kenneth YOUNGER, Oliver FRANKS
For the United States of America: Dean ACHESON, John Foster DULLES, Alexander WILEY, John J. SPARKMAN
For Uruguay: José A. MORA
For Venezuela: Antonio M. ARAUJO, R. GALLEGOS M.
For Viet-Nam: TRAN Van Huu 陳文友, T. VINH, D. THANH, BUU KINH
Neither the ROC nor the PRC were invited to the San Francisco Peace Conference which took place Sept. 4–8, 1951, and
neither were parties to the San Francisco Peace Treaty (SFPT). The ROC concluded a separate peace treaty with Japan in 1952
(see below). Of the 51 nations that had sent delegates to the conference, three (Czechoslovakia, Poland and the Soviet Union)
did not sign the SFPT, India and Burma were not present at the conference at all.
Below see the translations for the term "San Francisco Peace Treaty" in Chinese and for the term "Treaty of Peace with Japan"
in Japanese.
Entered into force on August 5, 1952, by the exchange of the instruments of ratification at Taipei
Treaty of Peace
The Republic of China and Japan,
Considering their mutual desire for good neighbourliness in view of their historical and cultural ties
and geographical proximity;
Realising the importance of their close cooperation to the promotion of their common welfare and to the
maintenance of international peace and security;
Recognising the need for a settlement of problems that have arisen as a result of the existence of a state
of war between them;
Have resolved to conclude a Treaty of Peace and have accordingly appointed as their Plenipotentiaries,
His Excellency the President of the Republic of China: Mr. YEH KUNG-CHAO;
The Government of Japan: Mr. ISAO KAWADA
Who, having communicated to each other their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed upon
the following Articles:—
Article 1
The state of war between the Republic of China and Japan is terminated as from the date on which the
present Treaty enters into force.
Article 2
It is recognised that under Article 2 of the Treaty of Peace which Japan signed at the city of San Francisco
on 8 September 1951 (hereinafter referred to as the San Francisco Treaty), Japan has renounced all right, title, and claim
to Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu (the Pescadores) as well as the Spratley Islands and the Paracel Islands.
Article 3
The disposition of property of Japan and its nationals in Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu (the Pescadores), and their claims,
including debts, against the authorities of the Republic of China in Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu (the Pescadores) and the
residents thereof, and the disposition in Japan of property of such authorities and residents and their claims, including
debts, against Japan and its nationals, shall be the subject of special arrangements between the Government of the Republic
of China and the Government of Japan. The terms nationals and residents include juridical persons.
Article 4
It is recognised that all treaties, conventions, and agreements concluded before 9 December 1941 between Japan and China
have become null and void as a consequence of the war.
Article 5
It is recognised that under the provisions of Article 10 of the San Francisco Treaty, Japan has renounced all special rights
and its interests in China, including all benefits and privileges resulting from the provisions of the final Protocol signed at
Peking on 7 September 1901, and all annexes, notes, and documents supplementary thereto, and has agreed to the abrogation in
respect to Japan of the said protocol, annexes, notes, and documents.
Article 6
(a) The Republic of China and Japan will be guided by the principles of Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations in
their mutual relations.
(b) The Republic of China and Japan will cooperate in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations
and, in particular, will promote their common welfare through friendly cooperation in the economic field.
Article 7
The Republic of China and Japan will endeavour to conclude, as soon as possible, a treaty or agreement to place their trading,
maritime, and other commercial relations, on a stable and friendly basis.
Article 8
The Republic of China and Japan will endeavour to conclude, as soon as possible, an agreement relating to civil air transport.
Article 9
The Republic of China and Japan will endeavour to conclude, as soon as possible, an agreement providing for the regulation or
limitation of fishing and the conservation and development of fisheries on the high seas.
Article 10
For the purposes of the present Treaty, nationals of the Republic of China shall be deemed to include all the inhabitants and
former inhabitants of Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu (the Pescadores) and their descendents who are of the Chinese nationality in
accordance with the laws and regulations which have been or may hereafter be enforced by the Republic of China in Taiwan (Formosa)
and Penghu (the Pescadores); and juridical persons of the Republic of China shall be deemed to include all those registered under
the laws and regulations which have been or may hereafter be enforced by the Republic of China in Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu
(the Pescadores).
Article 11
Unless otherwise provided for in the present Treaty and the documents supplementary thereto, any problem arising between the Republic
of China and Japan as a result of the existence of a state of war shall be settled in accordance with the relevant provisions of
the San Francisco Treaty.
Article 12
Any dispute that may arise out of the interpretation or application of the present Treaty shall be settled by negotiation or
other pacific means.
Article 13
The present Treaty shall be ratified and the instruments of ratification shall be exchanged at Taipei as soon as possible.
The present Treaty shall enter into force as from the date on which such instruments of ratification are exchanged.
Article 14
The present Treaty shall be in the Chinese, Japanese, and English languages. In case of any divergence of
interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty and have affixed thereto
their seals.
Done in duplicate at Taipei, this Twenty Eighth day of the Fourth month of the Forty First year of the
REPUBLIC OF CHINA, corresponding to the Twenty Eighth day of the Fourth month of the Twenty Seventh year of SHOWA
of Japan and to the Twenty Eighth day of April in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Two.
YEH KUNG-CHAO, [L.S.] Minister of Foreign Affairs and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of China
ISAO KAWADA, [L.S.] Minister of Foreign Affairs and Plenipotentiary of Japan
The Treaty of Peace between the ROC and Japan/Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty (abbrev. Zhong Ri heping tiaoyue 中日和平條約
or Zhong Ri heyue 中日和約) is commonly also known as the Treaty of Taipei (Taibei heyue 台北和約); in Japanese:
Nippon kokuto Chuka minkoku tono aidano heiwa jōyaku 日本国と中華民国との間の平和条約.
Treaty signed at Washington December 2, 1954;
Ratification advised by the Senate of the United States of America February 9, 1955;
Ratified by the President of the United States of America February 11,1955;
Ratified by the Republic of China February 15, 1955;
Ratifications exchanged at Taipei March 3, 1955;
Proclaimed by the President of the United States of America April 1,1955;
Entered into force March 3, 1955.
And exchange of notes
Signed at Washington December 10, 1954
By THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of China was signed at Washington
on December 2, 1954 by their respective plenipotentiaries, the original of which Treaty in the English and Chinese languages is
word for word as follows:
Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of China
The Parties to this Treaty,
Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace
with all peoples and all Governments, and desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in the West Pacific Area,
Recalling with mutual pride the relationship which brought their two peoples together in a common bond of sympathy and mutual
ideals to fight side by side against imperialist aggression during the last war,
Desiring to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity and their common determination to defend themselves against
external armed attack, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone in the West
Pacific Area, and
Desiring further to strengthen their present efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security pending
the development of a more comprehensive system of regional security in the West Pacific Area,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they
may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace, security and justice are not endangered and to
refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of
the United Nations.
Article 2
In order more effectively to achieve the objective of this Treaty, the Parties separately and jointly by self-help and
mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack and communist subversive
activities directed from without against their territorial integrity and political stability.
Article 3
The Parties undertake to strengthen their free institutions and to cooperate with each other in the development of
economic progress and social well-being and to further their individual and collective efforts toward these ends.
Article 4
The Parties, through their Foreign Ministers or their deputies, will consult together from time to time regarding the
implementation of this Treaty.
Article 5
Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the West Pacific Area directed against the territories of either of the
Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it world act to meet the common danger in accordance
with its constitutional processes.
Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council
of the United Nations. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore
and maintain international peace and security.
Article 6
For the purposes of Articles II and V, the terms "territorial" and "territories" shall mean in respect of the Republic of China,
Taiwan and the Pescadores: and in respect of the United States of America, the island territories in the West Pacific under its
jurisdiction. The provisions of Articles II and V will be applicable to such other territories as may be determined by mutual
agreement.
Article 7
The Government of the Republic of China grants, and the Government of the United Stares of America accepts, the right to dispose
such United States land, air and sea forces in and about Taiwan and the Pescadores as may be required for their defense, as determined
by mutual agreement.
Article 8
This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations of the Parties under
the Charter of the United Nations or the responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Article 9
This Treaty shall be ratified by the United States of America and the Republic of China in accordance with their respective
constitutional processes and will come into force when instruments of ratification thereof have been exchanged by them at Taipei.
Article 10
This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Either Party may terminate it one year after notice has been
given to the other Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate, in the English and Chinese languages, at Washington on this second day of December of the Year
One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-four, corresponding to the second day of the twelfth month of the Forty-third year
of the Republic of China.
FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: John Foster Dulles
[Approved by House vote 409-3 on January 25, 1955 and by Senate vote 85-3 on January 28, 1955]
U.S. Congressional Authorization for the President to Employ the Armed Forces of the United States to Protect Formosa, the Pescadores,
and Related Positions and Territories of That Area
Whereas the primary purpose of the United States, in its relations with all other nations, is to develop and sustain a just and
enduring peace for all; and Whereas certain territories in the West Pacific under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China are now under
armed attack, and threats and declarations have been and are being made by the Chinese Communists that such armed attack is in aid of and
in preparation for armed attack on Formosa and the Pescadores,
Whereas such armed attack if continued would gravely endanger the peace and security of the West Pacific Area and particularly of
Formosa and the Pescadores; and
Whereas the secure possession by friendly governments of the Western Pacific Island chain, of which Formosa is a part, is essential
to the vital interests of the United States and all friendly nations in or bordering upon the Pacific Ocean; and
Whereas the President of the United States on January 6, 1955, submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification
a Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of China, which recognizes that an armed attack in the
West Pacific Area directed against territories, therein described, in the region of Formosa and the Pescadores, would be dangerous to
the peace and safety of the parties to the treaty:
Therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the President of the United States be and he hereby is authorized to employ the Armed Forces of the United States as he deems
necessary for the specific purpose of securing and protecting Formosa and the Pescadores against armed attack, this authority to include
the securing and protection of such related positions and territories of that area now in friendly hands and the taking of such other
measures as he judges to be required or appropriate in assuring the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores.
This resolution shall expire when the President shall determine that the peace and security of the area is reasonably assured by
international conditions created by action of the United Nations or otherwise, and shall so report to the Congress.
In Chinese, the Formosa Resolution by the US Congress (Meiguo guohui 美國國會) is called Taiwan jueyi'an
台灣決議案 or Fuermosha jueyi'an 福爾摩沙決議案. US President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law on Jan. 29, 1955.
It was repealed by the US Congress on Oct. 26, 1974.
The Minister of Defense’s [Peng Dehuai] Proclamation to Taiwan Compatriots
(October 6, 1958)
Military and Civilian Compatriots on Taiwan, Penghu [Islands], Jinmen, Mazu:
We are all Chinese; of the thirty-six stratagems, Peace is the best. The battle for Jinmen is of a punitive nature. Your leaders have for a long time been too outrageous, directing aircraft to fly all over the mainland, reaching as far as Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Xikang, Qinghai, where they scattered leaflets, dropped spies, bombed Fujian, and harassed Jiangsu and Zhejiang. This is beyond intolerable. Therefore, we fired a few cannons, to get your attention.
Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu are Chinese territory. On this point you agree, as can be seen in your leader’s statements, and they are definitely not American territory. Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu are part of China, and not a separate country. There is only one China in the world, there are not two Chinas. On this point you also agree, as can be seen in your leader’s statements. Your leader has signed a military agreement with the Americans, which is one-sided, we don’t accept it, and it ought to be invalidated.
The Americans will certainly one day abandon you, don’t you believe it? The giant that is history will bear evidence to this. The clue is already exposed in Dulles’ September 30 interview. Can you not shiver, standing in your position? After all, American imperialism is our common enemy. 130,000 soldiers and civilians on Jinmen are running out of supplies, suffering from cold and hunger. They cannot go on in this condition. For humanitarian reasons, I have already ordered the front lines in Fujian [to observe] a one week temporary cease fire, starting on October 6, so that you can completely and freely transport supplies, on the condition that there is no American convoy. If there is a convoy then it won’t apply.
This war between us has already been going on for more than thirty years and still hasn’t ended, and that is not good. We propose holding negotiation, to achieve a peaceful settlement. Several years ago Premier Zhou [Enlai] had already told you about this. This is China’s internal affair, a problem between our two sides, it isn’t a bilateral problem involving the United States and China. The U.S. occupation of Taiwan, Penghu, and the Taiwan Straits – that is a bilateral problem between the United States and China, which ought to be resolved through negotiations between the two countries, and there are currently talks being held in Warsaw.
The Americans will have to leave one day, there is no alternative. It would be in the Americans’ interest to leave earlier, because they would retain the initiative. Leaving later won’t be good [for them] because they will be forced. Why did an Eastern Pacific country come to the Western Pacific? The Western Pacific is the Western Pacific people’s Western Pacific, just the same as the Eastern Pacific is the Eastern Pacific people’s Eastern Pacific, this is just common sense, and the Americans ought to understand it. There is no war between the People’s Republic of China and the United States, so there is no so-called cease-fire. To talk about a cease-fire where there is no fire, isn’t it plain nonsense? Friends on Taiwan, there are the fires of war between us, which ought to stop, and be extinguished. This will require negotiations. Of course, to fight for another thirty years would be no big deal, but ultimately it would be preferable to come to an early peaceful resolution. Please, it’s up to you to decide where you want to go.
A separate PDF file (102 pages in A4 format, file size 3.2 MB) showing above text plus selected other statements,
declarations, treaties, laws, and communiqués written or co-authored by high-ranking representatives of the PRC pertaining
to the relations with Taiwan can be found here. To view another PDF
file—69 A4 pages, 3.2 MB—showing the full text of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by SEF and ARATS representatives in June 2010
please click here.
By Ely Maurer Assistant Legal Adviser for Far Eastern Affairs 1
Since August 23, when the Chinese Communists began their massive bombardment of Quemoy, no item has received as much coverage in the world press as the problems of Formosa and the offshore islands. We are now in a period of relative calm. However, in the 4 months that have elapsed since August 23 considerable discussion and world anxiety have been generated by the matter. In this discussion there have been intertwined elements of policy and of law. I do not intend here to go into the policy issues. I appreciate the opportunity you have afforded me to take up the legal problems. With respect to the questions of law these involve a blend of national and international aspects.
Before going into the legal problems it is desirable to review briefly the geographical and historical background of Formosa and the offshore islands.
Formosa, or Taiwan, is an island about 100 miles from the mainland of China. It has an area equal to that of Maryland and a population of about 10 million people, comprising 8.5 million persons of Chinese descent, 1.5 million mainland Chinese, and 100,000 aborigines. Close to and westward of Formosa are the Pescadores Islands, or Penghus. I shall use the term “Formosa” hereafter as also covering these islands.
Close to the mainland of China, in the vicinity of the city of Amoy and about 5 miles away, is the Quemoy group of islands consisting mainly of Big Quemoy, Little Quemoy, and the two tiny Tan Islands.
About 120 miles up the mainland coast and in the vicinity of Foochow and about 10 miles off the coast is the Matsu group of islands.
Both these groups are in the control of the Republic of China. I shall hereafter speak of them as the offshore islands. These islands have been for a very long time under Chinese sovereignty.
Since the middle of the 17th century and up to 1895 Formosa was a part of the Chinese Empire. In 1895 under the Treaty of Shimonoseki China ceded Formosa to Japan. In the Cairo conference in November 1943 the United States, United Kingdom, and China declared it was their “purpose” that Manchuria, Formosa, and the Pescadores “shall be restored to the Republic of China.” Thereafter in August 1945 in the Potsdam conference the United States, United Kingdom, and China declared that “the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.” This Potsdam declaration was subsequently adhered to by the U.S.S.R. On September 2, 1945, the Japanese Government, in the instrument of surrender, accepted the provisions of the declaration. The Supreme Allied Commander for the Allied Powers then issued Directive No. 1, under which the Japanese Imperial Headquarters issued General Order No. 1 requiring Japanese commanders in Formosa to surrender to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek of the Republic of China. Since September 1945 the United States and the other Allied Powers have accepted the exercise of Chinese authority over the island. In article 2 of the Japanese Peace Treaty, which entered into force April 28, 1952, Japan renounced all “right, title and claim” to Formosa. Neither this agreement nor any other agreement thereafter has purported to transfer the sovereignty of Formosa to China.
In the meantime, since the end of the war in 1945, the Chinese Communists had been engaged in open hostilities with the Republic of China. On October 1, 1949, they proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Two days later the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with this regime. The Chinese Communists made their first attempt to capture Quemoy in late 1949 and were repulsed with heavy losses by the Chinese Government on October 27. The Chinese Government had been transferring its offices to Taipei, Formosa, and early in December 1949 Taipei became the provisional capital of the Republic of China.
On January 5, 1950, President Truman, in a public statement regarding Formosa, declared that the United States had no predatory designs on Formosa or on any other Chinese territory, did not seek any special privileges therein, and would not pursue a course which would lead to involvement in the civil conflict in China. 2 However, when the Communists attacked the Republic of Korea on June 25, 1950, President Truman issued a public statement noting that the Communists had made clear their intent to use armed invasion and war for purposes of conquest and had defied the Security Council of the United Nations. 3 He thereupon ordered the Seventh Fleet “to prevent any attacks on Formosa” and as a corollary called upon the Chinese Government to cease all operations against the mainland. In addition he stated that “The determination of the future status of Formosa must await the restoration of security in the Pacific, a peace settlement with Japan, or consideration by the United Nations.”
On August 24, 1950, the Chinese Communist regime sent a telegram to the President of the United Nations Security Council calling President Truman's action “a direct armed aggression on the territory of China and a total violation of the United Nations Charter.” In a statement on the same day the State Department said the United States would welcome the United Nations consideration of the problem, and on September 21 we formally asked that it be put on the agenda of the General Assembly. The United States made this request at a time when there seemed to be a reasonable prospect that peace and security could be restored in Korea. When these hopes were destroyed by Chinese Communist intervention in Korea, the United States on November 15 asked that consideration of the Formosa question be deferred. In the meantime the Soviet Union had initiated resolutions in the General Assembly and Security Council of the United Nations condemning the United States for alleged “armed invasion” of Formosa. The General Assembly never endorsed the charges, and they were dropped. The Security Council defeated the Soviet resolution on November 30 by a vote of 9 to 1.
In July of 1954, at the time when the Geneva Accords were being negotiated to end hostilities in Indochina, the Chinese Communist regime launched a massive propaganda campaign for the “liberation of Taiwan.” On September 3 the Chinese Communists began a heavy bombardment of the island of Quemoy, and military attacks spread to coastal islands including the Tachen Islands to the north. Against this background the United States–Republic of China Mutual Defense Treaty was signed on December 2, 1954. 4 The territorial coverage of the treaty in respect of China was limited to Formosa. The treaty was accompanied by an exchange of notes of December 10 5 by which the United States and the Republic of China undertook not to use force from the Formosa area or the offshore islands except by joint agreement or in self-defense. It might be pointed out that these defensive arrangements merely formalized and did not in any way extend the United States undertaking for the defense of Formosa going back to June 1950.
The Peiping regime propaganda campaign was stepped up throughout December and January, and the Chinese Communists launched heavy aerial bombardment on the coastal islands and invaded and seized Ichiang Island. These actions were accompanied by broadcast declarations that the actions were preliminary to the taking of Formosa. Following these attacks President Eisenhower on January 24, 1955, requested a resolution from Congress publicly establishing the authority of the President to employ United States forces as he deemed necessary to secure and protect Formosa from armed attack. This joint resolution was passed January 29. 6 The United States also supported in the United Nations Security Council a New Zealand proposal for the consideration of the question of hostilities in the offshore-island area. However, the Peiping regime refused the invitation of the Security Council to be present and participate in the discussion. The Chinese Communists said that the New Zealand resolution was not within the competence of the United Nations because the liberation of Formosa and other coastal islands was a matter of “sovereign right” and an internal affair.
In several statements made in 1955 the President and the Secretary of State reiterated the desire of the United States to find a peaceful solution to the tension in the Formosa area, and ambassadorial talks were opened in Geneva in 1955 with the Chinese Communists relating to this subject as well as other topics. However, these conversations proved abortive since the Chinese Communists refused to agree to a proposal which concerned renunciation of force in the Formosa area.
During the period from February 1955 up to August 23 of this year the Chinese Communist attacks on the Republic of China were relatively infrequent. Then on August 23 the Chinese Communists commenced a massive bombardment of the Quemoy Islands, once again resorting to armed force and precipitating a grave situation in the Formosan Straits. From the beginning of the attacks the United States has shown a desire for a peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Formosa Straits. When the Chinese Communists on September 6 stated a willingness to resume the suspended ambassadorial talks at Geneva, the United States welcomed the prospect. Since that time the United States has, in talks now taking place in Warsaw, been seeking to obtain a cessation of Chinese Communist attacks.
On October 5 the Chinese Communists announced a 1-week suspension of the bombardment, conditional on the discontinuance of the United States escort activities. The Department of State issued a statement welcoming the Communist move and expressing the hope it foreshadowed a permanent end to the attacks. 7 At the end of the week the Chinese Communists extended their cease-fire for another 2 weeks. However, on October 20, justifying their action on alleged escorting activities, the Chinese Communists resumed bombardment but announced shortly thereafter that bombardment of certain areas on Quemoy would only take place on odd numbered days. Since that time bombardment has greatly diminished.
As a result of meetings between Secretary Dulles and Chiang Kai-shek pursuant to article IV of the Mutual Defense Treaty a joint communique was issued on October 23. 8 In this communique it was recognized that under the present conditions the defense of the offshore islands is “closely related” to the defense of Formosa. Further, the Republic of China stated that the “principal means” of restoring freedom to its people on the mainland is the implementation of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's “three people's principles” and “not the use of force.”
This then brings us up to the present. On the basis of this background we can now go into the legal issues presented.
The legal problems concerning Formosa and the offshore islands break down into two main subdivisions: (a) the legal problems with respect to the authority of the Executive under United States law, and (b) the authority of the United States Government under international law. It may be best to consider the national aspect first.
In January 1955, in a period in which the Chinese Communists were taking menacing actions with respect to the offshore islands and Formosa and after we had signed a Mutual Defense Treaty with the Republic of China, the President sent a message to Congress urging a resolution by Congress authorizing him, if necessary, to take military action in the Formosa area. The message recited that Formosa constituted a part of the vital island chain of defenses of the United States and free nations in the Western Pacific. The President alluded to Quemoy as “one of the natural approaches to Formosa” and said that attacks upon the offshore islands have been asserted by the Chinese Communists themselves to be “a prelude to the conquest of Formosa.” The President then said:
But, unhappily, the danger of armed attack directed against that area compels us to take into account closely related localities and actions which, under current conditions, might determine the failure or success of such an attack. The authority that may be accorded by the Congress would be used only in situations which are recognizable as parts of, or definite preliminaries to, an attack against the main positions of Formosa and the Pescadores.
After serious debate Congress passed House Joint Resolution 159 (Public Law 4, 84th Congress, 1st session, chapter 4). This resolution reads in pertinent part:
... the President of the United States be and he is hereby authorized to employ the Armed Forces of the United States as he deems necessary for the specific purpose of securing and protecting Formosa and the Pescadores against armed attack, this authority to include the securing and protection of such related positions and territories of that area now in friendly hands and the taking of such other measures as he judges to be required or appropriate in assuring the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores.
In the light of the above, let us first take up the question of the authority of the President to take military action to defend Formosa. In this connection it should be recalled that under article V of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Government of China it is provided that an armed attack on the territories of one of the parties would be dangerous to the other party's peace and security and the other party declare that it would act to meet the common danger “in accordance with its constitutional processes.” Under article VI the term “territories” in respect to the Republic of China is limited to Formosa (and the Pescadores). Thus if an armed attack took place on Formosa the question might arise as to the content of the phrase “in accordance with its constitutional processes.” It might be argued that it is only Congress which could take action under the constitutional provision giving it the power to declare war. However, as is well known, it is considered that the President has a large power to take military action in emergency situations for the defense of the United States without awaiting action by Congress. In the present situation, House Joint Resolution 159 eliminates any problem on this score since, in the words of the President's message, the resolution clearly and publicly establishes the authority of the President to take military action in the defense of Formosa as he deems necessary.
The second question concerns the authority of the President to take action to defend the offshore islands. The Mutual Defense Treaty does not cover in its territorial scope the offshore islands, and there is no commitment therein of United States action in their defense. However, House Joint Resolution 159 authorizes the President to protect “such related positions and territories of that area now in friendly hands” and to take “such other measures as he judges to be required or appropriate in assuring the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores.” What is the meaning of this clause?
It has been argued that the phrase “related positions and territories” refers only to areas that are necessary from the standpoint of military tactics for the defense of Formosa. Thus, this argument runs, the President has only the power to defend Quemoy if Quemoy in a military sense is essential to the defense of Formosa, so that if Quemoy fell the defense of Formosa would be tactically impossible. The argument continues that, since Quemoy is not essential in this sense, the President has no authority to defend it.
It is our view that the language with respect to the offshore islands, read in its natural sense and with relation to the background message of the President and the debate in Congress, permits a broader meaning. (1) The word “related” would seem logically to cover the situation where the position or territory in question is not “essential” to the defense of Formosa but one in which the loss of the position or territory would make that defense harder or more difficult. (2) More importantly, the word “related” would appear to cover the situation in which the offshore islands are part and parcel of a general plan for the seizure of Formosa or preliminary thereto. In the present situation it is evident from the innumerable statements issued by the Chinese Communists that they view their whole action with respect to the offshore islands as related in this way to the “liberation” of Formosa. (3) Further, it is improper in our view to give a too physical interpretation to the word “related.” In this connection it might be pointed out that the offshore islands constitute an extremely important psychological element in the will to resist of the defenders of Formosa. In this sense the loss of the offshore islands is quite clearly related to the defense of Formosa. (4) Fourthly, emphasis should be given to the language “such related positions” as “he judges to be required or appropriate” in assuring the defense of Formosa. Implicit in this language is that discretion is lodged in the President to determine what related positions are required or appropriate in the defense of Formosa. (5) Fifthly, it should be emphasized the President has also power to take “such other measures as he judges to be required or appropriate” in the defense of Formosa, and this is not tied down to any phrase as to “related positions.”
Considering the cumulative effect of all these points and taking into account the inherent constitutional powers of the President, it is our view that the President has an extremely broad latitude of decision with respect to taking action to defend the offshore islands. In this connection it will be recalled that in the joint communique issued on October 23 at Taipei, at the conclusion of the Dulles-Chiang discussions, it was stated that “It was recognized that under the present conditions the defense of the Quemoys, together with the Matsus, is closely related” to the defense of Formosa.
On the international front it is best to examine the problem of Formosa separately from the problem of the offshore islands.
In giving the historical background of Formosa it has been pointed out that at Cairo the Allies stated it was their purpose to restore Formosa to Chinese sovereignty and that at the end of the war the Republic of China receive the surrender of Japanese forces on Formosa. It has also been pointed out that under the Japanese Peace Treaty Japan renounced all right, title, and claim to Formosa. However, neither in that treaty nor in any other treaty has there been any definitive cession to China of Formosa. The situation is, then, one where the Allied Powers still have to come to some agreement or treaty with respect to the status of Formosa. Any action, therefore, of the Chinese Communist regime to seize Formosa constitutes an attempt to seize by force territory which does not belong to it. Such a seizure is prohibited by international law and the United Nations Charter as an attempt to settle a claim to territory by force. It would thus appear that the United States is within its legal rights in taking action to defend Formosa.
With respect to the offshore islands the situation is admittedly somewhat different. There is no question that these islands are a part of the state of China. It may be admitted further that these islands are close to the mainland of China. However, the offshore islands have been in the possession and effective control of the Government of the Republic of China since its inception, except for the period of the Japanese war. Since 1949 a status quo has come into existence vis-a-vis the Peiping regime. It is this status quo which the Chinese Communists have threatened with the menace of armed force. It is our view that we have here in fact a situation comparable to that which obtained in Korea preceding the invasion of south Korea by north Korea. In other words, the action of the Chinese Communists in taking warlike measures is an effort to change the status quo and to gain additional territory by force in violation of the prohibitions of the United Nations Charter.
It has been urged that this is essentially a civil war and therefore it is improper for the United States to participate with the Government of the Republic of China in defense of the offshore islands. It should first be pointed out that it is too narrow to look upon the conflict merely as a civil war. Even as early as the end of the war with Japan the Soviet Union, in violation of its treaty with the Chinese Nationalists, turned over large stores of equipment and in other ways furnished material aid to the Chinese Communists. Since that time the Soviet Union has continued giving large assistance to the Chinese Communist regime. Thus much of the ammunition, artillery, and planes that are at present being used by that regime derive from Russian sources. And the Soviet Union is allied by military treaty with the Chinese regime. On the other hand the United States has vital interests in the Formosa area and is allied with the Republic of China in a Mutual Defense Treaty and has agreements to supply arms for defensive purposes. In the circumstances it seems fair to say that we are here involved in what is realistically an international dispute which the Communist regime is attempting to settle by force.
Further with respect to the argument that this is a civil war, it will be recalled that this was the same argument that was made by Vishinsky regarding the north Korean invasion of south Korea. It was an argument however which the United Nations paid no heed to but, instead, viewed the action of the north Koreans as one of aggression which came under the ban of the United Nations Charter. Secretary Dulles has summarized the situation forcefully in a speech before the United Nations General Assembly on September 18. 9 He said:
1. The Chinese Communist regime has never during its 9 years of existence exercised authority over Taiwan, the Penghus, or the Quemoy or Matsu Islands.
2. The Chinese Communist regime is now attempting to extend its authority to these areas by the use of naked force.
The issue is thus a simple one: armed conquest.
In 1950 the United Nations met that issue squarely. By overwhelming vote it found that the attack of north Korea to “unify” Korea was armed aggression. It condemned the Chinese Communist regime as an aggressor because of its part in that armed attack.
I do not ignore the argument that today's Chinese Communist attack is a “civil war” operation. Mr. Vishinsky made a parallel argument in 1950. He told us that the war in Korea was purely a “civil war” and that outsiders who intervened were “aggressors.” The United Nations overwhelmingly rejected that contention. ...
The fact is that, when one regime attempts by force to take additional territory which has long been under the authority of another government, recognized as such by a respectable part of the world community, that is a use of force which endangers world order.
On this phase of the matter it is our view, then, that the United States would be justified from an international standpoint in cooperating with the Republic of China in the defense of the offshore islands and Formosa.
Related to the problems of Formosa and the offshore islands is the question of the recognition policy of the United States. The United States Government has been criticized for its failure to recognize the Chinese Communist regime, some commentators taking the view that, since the Communist regime controls the great mass of mainland China as well as its 600 million inhabitants, the United States must accord recognition. It is the view of the United States Government that international law does not require one government to accord diplomatic recognition to another government. It is our view that the matter of diplomatic recognition is one solely to be determined as the national interest dictates, and in this case on an examination of all facets of the subject the United States Government believes that it would be contrary to our national interest to accord recognition. The various considerations involved in reaching this conclusion were spelled out in press release No. 459 of August 11, 1958, issued by the State Department. 10 This press release embodied the text of a memorandum sent by the Department to its missions abroad.
It is true that, in reviewing whether we should extend recognition, the United States Government, in this as well as in previous administrations, has looked to certain factors which are generally considered significant. These factors are (1) whether the government in question is in control of a certain territory, (2) whether the government reflects the will of the nation substantially declared, (3) whether the government is prepared to honor its international obligations. While the United States examines these factors, we do not view recognition as required upon a satisfactory finding with respect to these factors. Even if that were our view, there is serious question whether the Chinese Communist regime can in any way be considered to reflect the will of the nation; and there is no doubt, in view of flagrant past treaty violations and violations of the United Nations Charter and violations of international law and in view of statements made by the Chinese Communist regime about disregarding preexisting treaties, that the Chinese Communist regime is not prepared to honor its international obligations. Thus, even on this view, the Chinese Communists are not entitled to recognition.
As Secretary Dulles has pointed out, however, our failure to recognize the Chinese Communist regime has not meant that we refuse to deal with them where it is essential to our purpose and inures to our benefit. Thus we are at present carrying on conversations in Warsaw as we have carried on conversations in Geneva; we dealt with them in the Korean armistice negotiations; we dealt with them with respect to the cease-fires in Indochina; and we are prepared to deal with them whenever we believe it to be in the interest of the United States to do so.
As a collateral legal issue related to the Formosa Straits area there has arisen the question of the extent of the territorial sea. The Chinese Communist regime in a declaration dated September 4, 1958 declared their territorial sea to extend to 12 miles. In addition, their declaration indicated that they viewed the baselines from which the 12 miles were to be calculated as being points connecting basepoints on the mainland and on certain islands offshore. On the ground of this declaration they considered all the waters around the Quemoys and Matsus and areas well into the Formosa Straits as being internal or territorial waters, and they have charged the United States forces with more than 40 intrusions of such internal or territorial waters by warships and aircraft. The United States position on this matter is quite clear. The United States only recognizes the Government of the Republic of China; and as far as the United States is concerned the declaration of the Chinese Communist regime has therefore no force or validity. In addition the United States considers that international law recognizes only a 3-mile limit, that it is not possible for a country by unilateral action to take unto itself that which is the common property of all nations, and that this is, moreover, in violation of the universally accepted principle of the freedom of the high seas. The United States position finds support in the report of the United Nations International Law Commission 11 wherein it is stated that “international law does not require states to recognize a breadth [of territorial sea] beyond 3 miles.”
Further, a country is not free to choose whether its territorial sea will be measured from the lowwater mark on the coast, which is the normal baseline, or whether it will use straight baselines connecting salient points or offshore islands. While article 4 of the Geneva Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone 12 adopted by the recent Geneva Conference on Law of the Sea permits the establishment of straight baselines in localities where the coastline is deeply indented and cut into or if there is a fringe of islands along the coast in its immediate vicinity, it is clear that the Chinese coast along which the straight lines described in the statement of September 4 are drawn does not conform to the geographic conditions which are set forth in article 4. There is even less legal basis for drawing straight baselines from outermost points on a group of islands and claiming waters thereby included as internal waters. Similar attempts by other countries to claim, as internal waters, large areas of high seas within groups of islands or archipelagoes have been protested by many countries. The straight baselines described in the statement of September 4, 1958, are accordingly regarded by the United States as completely arbitrary and without any basis in recognized international law.
Another problem has been raised in the press with respect to United States escort activities of vessels of the Republic of China. Heretofore the United States vessels have avoided entering the territorial sea around Quemoy and the other offshore islands. The question has been raised whether in so doing we have been giving some implied recognition to the claim of the Chinese Communist regime as to its right to this territorial sea. Nothing could be further from the fact. Since the Government of the Republic of China is in effective control of Quemoy and the other offshore islands, we consider that it has the right to the territorial sea around these islands, just as it has the right to the territorial sea around Formosa. Moreover, just as our warships have, with the consent of the Government of the Republic of China, moved through the territorial sea of Formosa, so similarly with the consent of the Government of the Republic of China they could move through the territorial sea of Quemoy and the other offshore islands. There is no question that the Government of the Republic of China would be willing to give the United States such permission with respect to Quemoy and the offshore islands. However, the United States has thought it best as a matter of policy to keep United States warships in what are clearly international waters near Quemoy and the other offshore islands.
In conclusion, it is our view that from a national and international standpoint the President may properly use United States armed forces for the defense of Formosa and the offshore islands; the United States is not required to recognize the Chinese Communist regime; the declaration by the Chinese Communist regime regarding a 12-mile territorial sea has no validity.
Desiring to strengthen the bonds of peace and friendship traditionally existing between them, and to uphold the principles of
democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law,
Desiring further to encourage closer economic cooperation between them and to promote conditions of economic stability and
well-being in their countries,
Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and their desire to live in
peace with all peoples and all governments,
Recognizing that they have the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense as affirmed in the Charter of the
United Nations,
Considering that they have a common concern in the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East,
Having resolved to conclude a treaty of mutual cooperation and security,
Therefore agree as follows:
Article 1
The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international disputes
in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice
are not endangered and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes
of the United Nations. The Parties will endeavor in concert with other peace-loving countries to strengthen the
United Nations so that its mission of maintaining international peace and security may be discharged more
effectively.
Article 2
The Parties will contribute toward the further development of peaceful and friendly international relations
by strengthening their free institutions, by bringing about a better understanding of the principles upon which
these institutions are founded, and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being. They will seek to eliminate
conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration between them.
Article 3
The Parties, individually and in cooperation with each other, by means of continuous and effective self-help
and mutual aid will maintain and develop, subject to their constitutional provisions, their capacities to resist
armed attack.
Article 4
The Parties will consult together from time to time regarding the implementation of this Treaty, and, at the
request of either Party, whenever the security of Japan or international peace and security in the Far East is
threatened.
Article 5
Each Party recognizes that an armed attack against either Party in the territories under the administration
of Japan would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger
in accordance with its constitutional provisions and processes. Any such armed attack and all measures taken as
a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations in accordance with
the provisions of Article 51 of the Charter. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has
taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.
Article 6
For the purpose of contributing to the security of Japan and the maintenance of international peace and security
in the Far East, the United States of America is granted the use by its land, air and naval forces of facilities and
areas in Japan. The use of these facilities and areas as well as the status of United States armed forces in Japan
shall be governed by a separate agreement, replacing the Administrative Agreement under Article III of the Security
Treaty between Japan and the United States of America, signed at Tokyo on February 28, 1952, as amended, and by such
other arrangements as may be agreed upon.
Article 7
This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations of
the Parties under the Charter of the United Nations or the responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance
of international peace and security.
Article 8
This Treaty shall be ratified by Japan and the United States of America in accordance with their respective
constitutional processes and will enter into force on the date on which the instruments of ratification thereof have
been exchanged by them in Tokyo.
Article 9
The Security Treaty between Japan and the United States of America signed at the city of San Francisco
on September 8, 1951 shall expire upon the entering into force of this Treaty.
Article 10
This Treaty shall remain in force until in the opinion of the Governments of Japan and the United States
of America there shall have come into force such United Nations arrangements as will satisfactorily provide for
the maintenance of international peace and security in the Japan area. However, after the Treaty has been in force
for ten years, either Party may give notice to the other Party of its intention to terminate the Treaty, in which
case the Treaty shall terminate one year after such notice has been given.
In witness whereof the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.
Done in duplicate at Washington in the Japanese and English languages, both equally authentic, this 19th day
of January, 1960.
Memorandum from the Assistant Legal Adviser for Far Eastern Affairs (L/FE - John J. Czyzak) to Mr. Abram Chayes, Legal Adviser
February 3, 1961
Subject: "Legal Status of Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores Islands (Penghu)"
History of status of Formosa and the Pescadores
Prior to the Korean Hostilities
From the middle of the 17th century to 1895, Formosa and the Pescadores were part of the Chinese Empire. China then ceded these
islands to Japan in 1895 in the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
When China declared war on Japan on December 9, 1941, she also declared that all treaties concerning the relations between China
and Japan "are and remain null and void".
In the Cairo Declaration of 1943, the United States, Great Britain and China stated it to be their purpose that "all the territories
that Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as ... Formosa and the Pescadores, shall be restored to the Republic of China". These same
three governments on July 26, 1945 issued the Potsdam Proclamation declaring that "the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried
out and Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we determine".
On August 8, 1945 the Soviet Union adhered to the Potsdam Proclamation. In the Instrument of Surrender signed September 2, 1945, the
Japanese Government accepted its provisions.
Pursuant to Japanese Imperial General Headquarters General Order No. 1 issued at the direction of the Supreme Commander for the
Allied Powers (SCAP), Japanese commanders in Formosa surrendered to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek "acting on behalf of the United States,
the Republic of China, the United Kingdom and the British Empire, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics". Continuously since that
time, the Government of the Republic of China has occupied and administered Formosa and the Pescadores and subsequent to the surrender
declared Formosa to be a part of China. Although there is no indication that the United States ever received official notification of
such declaration, it can be said that the United States was aware of the fact that the Republic of China treated Formosa as a part of
China. The view of the United States government in the post-war period, however, was typified by a statement on April 11, 1947 of
Acting Secretary Acheson that the transfer of sovereignty over Formosa to China "has not yet been formalized". Sovereignty, it would
appear, remained in Japan.
After a prolonged period of civil strife, the Chinese Communists succeeded in driving the Government of the Republic of China off
the Chinese mainland. On October 1, 1949 the Chinese Communists proclaimed the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China. The seat
of the Government of the Republic of China was transferred to Formosa, and in early December 1949, Taipei became its provisional capital.
The Korean Conflict
The outbreak of hostilities in Korea on June 25, 1950 brought to the fore the question of the status of Formosa and the Pescadores.
President Truman, in ordering the U.S. Seventh Fleet to prevent any attack on Formosa, stated that "the determination of the future status
of Formosa must await the restoration of security in the Pacific, a peace settlement with Japan, or consideration by the United Nations".
[On August 25, 1950] the United States replied to the United Nations Security Council that
"The action of the United States was expressly stated to be without prejudice to the future political settlement of the status of the
island. The actual status of the island is that it is territory taken from Japan by the victory of the allied forces in the Pacific. Like
other such territories, its legal status cannot be fixed until there is international action to determine its future. The Chinese Government
was asked by the Allies to take the surrender of the Japanese forces on the Island. That is the reason the Chinese are there now."
By a letter dated September 20, 1950, the United States requested that the question of Formosa be placed on the agenda of the fifth
session of the U.N. General Assembly. In an explanatory note of September 21, the United States, citing the Cairo and Potsdam declarations
and the Japanese surrender, stated nevertheless:
"Formal transfer of Formosa to China was to await the conclusion of peace with Japan or some other appropriate formal act."
Consideration of this item by the General Assembly was eventually postponed.
Meanwhile the Soviet Union submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council condemning the United States for acts of aggression
and intervention in the internal affairs of China. The USSR also proposed for inclusion on the agenda of the fifth regular session of the
General Assembly the question of "American aggression against China". In both cases the USSR asserted that Taiwan was an inalienable part
of the territory of China. The U.S. delegate in Committee One, John Foster Dulles, answered the Soviet complaint of aggression in part as
follows:
"In connection with this whole question of Formosa, I think it is wise for us to bear in mind that Formosa is still affected with an
international interest. It is a former Japanese colony in the process of detachment. The United States certainly is entitled to some voice
in the determination of the future of Formosa, because if it were not for the tremendous military effort and the great sacrifice which the
United States made in that area of the world, none of us here today would be sitting around talking about Formosa.
"The United States, as one of the principal victors in the war against Japan, has a legitimate voice in what President Truman referred
to as the "determination of the future status of Formosa," which he says, "must await the restoration of security in the Pacific, a peace
settlement with Japan or consideration by the United Nations."
The Security Council defeated the Soviet resolution, and the General Assembly failed to endorse the charges against the U.S.
Japanese Peace Treaty
In September and October 1950, the United States proposed in a brief statement to the members of the Far Eastern Commission general
principles for a Peace Treaty with Japan.
In an aide memoire dated November 20, 1950, the USSR commented:
"2. By the Cairo Declaration of December 1, 1943 . . . and the Potsdam Agreement of July 26, 1945 . . . the question of returning Formosa
and the Pescadores to China was decided. In a similar manner the Yalta Agreement of February 11, 1945 . . . decided the questions of returning
the southern part of Sakhalin Island and the adjacent islands to the Soviet Union and handing over to her the Kurile Islands."
The United States replied in an aide memoire dated December 27, 1950:
" ... 2. The Cairo Declaration of 1943 stated the purpose to restore 'Manchuria, Formosa and the Pescadores to the Republic of China.' That
declaration, like other wartime declarations such as those of Yalta and Potsdam, was in the opinion of the United States Government subject to
any final peace settlement where all relevant factors should be considered ... "
From September 4 to 8, 1951 a conference for the conclusion and signature of a Treaty of Peace with Japan was held at San Francisco. China
was not represented at the Conference because of the disagreement among the participants as to who actually represented the government of that
country. Reflecting this disagreement is Article 2 of the Peace Treaty as it was signed on September 8 which reads in its pertinent part:
"(b) Japan renounces all right, title and claim to Formosa and the Pescadores."
John Foster Dulles, U.S. delegate at the Conference, commented on this provision in Article 2:
"Some Allied Powers suggested that Article 2 should not merely delimit Japanese sovereignty according to Potsdam, but specify precisely
the ultimate disposition of each of the ex-Japanese territories. This, admittedly, would have been neater. But it would have raised questions
as to which there are now no agreed answers. We had either to give Japan peace on the Potsdam surrender terms or deny peace to Japan while the
allies quarrel about what shall be done with what Japan is prepared, and required, to give up. Clearly, the wise course was to proceed now, so
far as Japan is concerned, leaving the future to resolve doubts by invoking international solvents other than this treaty."
The delegate of the United Kingdom remarked:
"The treaty also provides for Japan to renounce its sovereignty over Formosa and the Pescadores Islands. The treaty itself does not determine
the future of these islands."
The USSR refused to sign the Treaty. It objected, among other things, to the provision regarding Formosa and the Pescadores:
" ... this draft grossly violates the indisputable rights of China to the return of integral parts of Chinese territory; Taiwan,
the Pescadores, the Paracel and other islands ... the draft contains only a reference to the renunciation by Japan of its rights to these
territories but intentionally omits any mention of the further fate of these territories."
It is clear from these and other statements made at San Francisco, that sovereignty over Formosa and the Pescadores was not considered to
have finally been determined by the Peace Treaty.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations also took this view. In its Report on the Treaty dated February 14, 1952, the Committee stated:
"It is important to remember that Article 2 is a renunciatory article and makes no provision for the power or powers which are to succeded
Japan in the possession of and sovereignty over the ceded territory.
"During the negotiation of the Treaty some of the Allied Powers expressed the view that Article 2 of the treaty should not only relieve Japan
of its sovereignty over the territories in question but should indicate specifically what disposition was to be made of each of them. The committee
believes, however, that this would have been an unwise course to pursue. It might have raised differences among the allies which would have complicated
and prolonged the conclusions of the peace. Under the circumstances it seems far better to have the treaty enter into force now, leaving to the future
the final disposition of such areas as South Sakhalin and the Kuriles."
Although China was not a party to the San Francisco Treaty, a separate Treaty of Peace between the Republic of China and Japan was signed
in Taipei on April 28, 1952. Article II of that treaty provided:
"It is recognized that under Article 2 of the Treaty of Peace with Japan signed at the city of San Francisco in the United States of America
on September 8, 1951 ... Japan has renounced all right, title and claim to Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu (the Pescadores) as well as the Spratly
Islands and the Paracel Islands."
Article 25 of the Treaty stated that the Treaty shall not confer any rights, title or benefits on any state not a party to the Treaty.
Chinese Mutual Defense Treaty and the Formosa Resolution
Against the background of a massive Chinese Communist propaganda campaign for the "liberation" of Taiwan, supplemented by military action
against Quemoy and other offshore islands, the United States and the Republic of China signed a Mutual defense Treaty on December 2, 1954. The
first paragraph of Article V of the Treaty reads:
"Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the West Pacific Area directed against the territories of either of the Parties would be
dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes."
Article VI provides that for the purpose of Article V the term "territories" shall mean in respect to the Republic of China, "Taiwan and
the Pescadores". In an exchange of notes accompanying the Treaty, there appears the statement, "The Republic of China effectively controls both
the territory described in Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Defense . . . and other territory".
In its report on the Treaty, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations briefly discussed the question of the status of Formosa and the
Pescadores:
"By the peace treaty of September 8, 1951, signed with the United States and other powers, Japan renounced 'all right, title and claim
to Formosa and the Pescadores.' The treaty did not specify the nation to which such right, title and claim passed. Although the Republic of
China was not a signatory to the Treaty, it and the parties at the conference expressly recognized that it did not dispose finally of Formosa
and the Pescadores . . . .
"Secretary Dulles informed the committee that the reference in Article V to 'the territories of either of the Parties' was language
carefully chosen to avoid denoting anything one way or another as to their sovereignty.
"It is the view of the committee that the coming into force of the present treaty will not modify or affect the existing legal status
of Formosa and the Pescadores. The treaty appears to be wholly consistent with all actions taken by the United States in this matter since
the end of World War II, and does not introduce any basically new element in our relations with the territories in question . . . .
"To avoid any possibility of misunderstanding on this aspect of the treaty, the committee decided it would be useful to include in this
report the following statement: It is the understanding of the Senate that nothing in the treaty shall be construed as affecting or modifying
the legal status or sovereignty of the territories to which it applies."
The question of the status of Formosa and the Pescadores was again discussed on January 24, 1955, before a joint executive session of
the Senate committees on Foreign Relations and Armed Services, in connection with the Formosa Resolution. It is understood that during the
course of these hearings, Secretary Dulles indicated that sovereignty over Formosa and the Pescadores was not considered to have been transferred
to the Republic of China in the Japanese Peace Treaty and that the question of sovereignty over these islands was not yet finally determined.
Discussion
It may be well at this time to examine the various legal theories outlined [in] this memorandum regarding the status of Formosa and the
Pescadores in the light of the historical analysis set forth above.
1. The most tenable theory regarding the status of Formosa and the Pescadores is that sovereignty over the islands has not yet been
finally determined. The Cairo and Potsdam declarations were statements of intention on the part of the Allied Powers that the islands would
return to "the Republic of China". Chiang Kai-shek was authorized by the Allied Powers to take the surrender of the Japanese on the islands,
and the Government of the Republic of China has continued to occupy and administer the islands ever since. This surrender by Japan of Formosa
and the Pescadores, although providing a legal basis for the continued occupation and administration of the islands by the Government of the
Republic of China, would not appear to have effected a transfer of sovereignty to the Republic of China.
Because of differences among the Allied Powers as to who represented China, no agreement on the disposition of Formosa and the Pescadores
could be reached in the Japanese Peace Treaty. That the San Francisco Peace Treaty was intended to divest Japan of its sovereignty over the
islands without transferring that sovereignty to any other country is abundantly clear from the record. There does not appear to have occurred
anything subsequent to the Peace Treaty which can be said to have effected a transfer of that sovereignty.
An analogy to the status of Formosa as described may be found in the case of Cuba after the Spanish-American War. By Article I of the treaty
of peace between the United States and Spain of December 10, 1898, Spain relinquished "all claim of sovereignty over and title to Cuba". Although
the treaty named the United States as occupying power for the relinquished territory, it did not specify to whom sovereignty was to be transferred.
It may be well to point out that the legal status of the offshore islands, the Quemoy and Matsu groups, is different from that of Formosa and
the Pescadores as described here. The offshore islands, although like Formosa and the Pescadores under the control of the Republic of China, have
always been considered as part of "China". As Secretary Dulles explained:
"The legal position is different . . . , by virtue of the fact that technical sovereignty over Formosa and the Pescadores has never been
settled. That is because the Japanese Peace Treaty merely involves a renunciation by Japan of its right and title to these islands. But the future
title is not determined by the Japanese Peace Treaty nor is it determined by the Peace Treaty which was concluded between the Republic of China and
Japan. Therefore the juridical status of these islands, Formosa and the Pescadores, is different from the juridical status of the offshore islands
which have always been Chinese territory."
The usual way in which a formal transfer of territory is effected under international law is by cession, which typically consists of an
agreement between the ceding and acquiring state. No such cession has occurred here. As has been seen, the Republic of China did declare the
islands to be a part of China subsequent to the surrender, and such declaration might be considered an annexation of this territory. However,
in view of the fact that Chiang Kai-shek, in accepting the Japanese surrender, was acting on behalf of the Allied Powers, it may be questioned
whether any such attempted annexation would have validity in international law. Normally, military occupation does not have the effect of
transferring sovereignty over the occupied territory to the occupant. Furthermore, the whole history of the San Francisco and Sino-Japanese Peace
Treaties casts doubt on this interpretation.
... it has been contended that the transfer of Formosa and the Pescadores to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki was null and void in that
these islands had been taken away from China at that time by force, contrary to international law. However, it is generally accepted that
international law as it existed at that time disregarded "the effect of coercion in the conclusion of a treaty imposed by the victor upon
the vanquished State" [I Oppenheim, International Law 891 (8th ed. Lauterpacht 1955)].
On February 11, 1945, at Yalta, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin agreed that the USSR would enter the war against Japan on condition,
among others, that the southern part of Sakhalin and all the islands adjacent to it "shall be returned to the Soviet Union" and that the
Kurile Islands "shall be handed over the Soviet Union". The Yalta agreement like the Cairo declaration has been considered by the United States
to be a statement of intention rather than as creating binding international commitments.
The question of the status of Formosa and the Pescadores must be viewed in the light of a parallel question regarding the Kurile Islands,
the southern portions of Sakhalin and certain islands adjacent to it. Pursuant to the same instrument which directed Chiang Kai-shek to accept
the Japanese surrender on Formosa and the Pescadores, the Soviet Union accepted the Japanese surrender on these islands had has continuously
thereafter controlled and administered them. The USSR purported to annex the islands by a decree of February 2, 1946. The United States
Government has maintained, however, that the USSR does not possess sovereignty over them.
1668 (XVI). Representation of China in the United Nations.
The General Assembly,
Noting that a serious divergence of views exists among Member States concerning the representation of a
founder Member who is named in the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling that this matter has been described repeatedly in the General Assembly by all segments of opinion
as vital and crucial and that on numerous occasions its inclusion in the agenda has been requested under rule 15 of the
Assembly's rules of procedure as an item of an important and urgent character,
Recalling further the recommendation contained in its resolution 396 (V) of 14 December 1950 that, whenever
more than one authority claims to be the government entitled to represent a Member State in the United Nations and this
question becomes the subject of controversy in the United Nations, the question should be considered in the light of the
purposes and principles of the Charter and the circumstances of each case,
Decides, in accordance with Article 18 of the Charter of the United Nations, that any proposal to change the
representation of China is an important question.
According to records provided by the United Nations,
voting summary was as follows: 61 Yes, 34 No, 7 Abstentions, 2 Non-voting. Total voting membership was 104. The following list shows
the voting summary in detail.
Yes
No
Abstentions
Non-voting
Argentina
Australia
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Congo (Brazzaville)
Congo (Leopoldville)
Costa Rica
Dahomey
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Federation of Malaya
France
Greece
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Iceland
Iran
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Japan
Jordan
Laos
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Mauritania
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
South Africa
Spain
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
Upper Volta
Uruguay
Venezuela
Afghanistan
Albania
Bulgaria
Burma
Byelorussian SSR
Cambodia
Ceylon
Cuba
Czechoslovakia
Denmark
Ethiopia
Finland
Ghana
Guinea
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Mali
Mongolia
Morocco
Nepal
Norway
Poland
Romania
Sudan
Sweden
Syria
Tunisia
Ukrainian SSR
USSR
United Arab Republic
Yemen
Yugoslavia
Austria
Cyprus
Nigeria
Pakistan
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Tanganyika
Gabon
Togo
🔴
"Other texts and documents", UN Resolution 2758: Restoration of the Lawful Rights of the People's Republic of China
in the United Nations (1971)
Agreement Between the United States of America and Japan Concerning the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands
Washington and Tokyo (simultaneously), 17th June, 1971
The United States of America and Japan
Noting that the President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister of Japan reviewed together
on November 19, 20, and 21, 1969 the status of the Ryukyu Islands the Daito Islands, referred to as "Okinawa" in
the Joint Communique between the President and the Prime Minister issued on November 21, 1969, and agreed that
the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan should enter immediately into consultations
regarding the specific arrangements for accomplishing the early reversion of these islands to Japan;
Noting that the two Governments have conducted such consultations and have reaffirmed that the reversion of these
islands to Japan be carried out on the basis of the said Joint Communique;
Considering the United States of America desires, with respect to the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands, to
relinquish in favour of Japan all rights and interests under Article III of the Treaty of Peace with Japan signed at
the City of San Francisco on September 8, 1951, and thereby to have relinquished all its rights and interests in all
territories under the said Article; and Considering further that Japan is willing to assume full responsibility and
authority for the exercise of all powers of administration, legislation and jurisdiction over the territory and inhabitants
of the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands;
Therefore, have agreed as follows:
Article 1
1. With respect to the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands, as defined in paragraph 2 below, the United States
of America relinquishes in favour of Japan all rights and interests under Article III of the Treaty of Peace with Japan
signed at the City of San Francisco on September 8, 1951, effective as of the date of entry into force of this Agreements.
Japan, as of such date, assumes full responsibility and authority for the exercise of all and any powers of administration,
legislation and jurisdiction over the territory and inhabitants of the said islands.
2. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands" means all the territories
and their territorial waters with respect to which the right to exercise all and any powers of administration, legislation
and jurisdiction was accorded to the United States of America under Article III of the Treaty of Peace with Japan other
than those with respect to which such right has already been returned to Japan in accordance with the Agreement concerning
the Amami Islands and the Agreement concerning Nanpo Shoto and Other Islands signed between the United States of America
and Japan, respectively on December 24, 1953 and April 5, 1968.
Article 2
It is confirmed that treaties, conventions and other agreements concluded between the United States of America and
Japan, including, but without limitation, the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States of America
and Japan signed at Washington on January 19, 1960, and its related arrangements and the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and
Navigation between the United States of American and Japan signed at Tokyo on April 2,1953, become applicable to the
Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands as of the date of entry into force of this Agreement.
Article 3
1. Japan will grant the United States of America on the date of entry into force of this Agreement the use of facilities
and areas in the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands in accordance with the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security
between the United States of America and Japan signed at Washington on January 19, 1960 and its related arrangements.
2. In the application of Article lV of the Agreement under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security
between the United States of America and Japan, regarding Facilities and Areas and the Status of the United States Armed Forces
in Japan signed on January 19, 1960, to the facilities and areas the use of which will be granted in accordance with paragraph I
above to the United States of America on the date of entry into force of this Agreement, it is understood that the phrase "the
condition in which they were at the time they became available to the United States Armed Forces" in paragraph I of the said
Article IV refers to the condition in which the facilities and areas first came into the use of the United States Armed Forces,
and that the term "improvements" in paragraph 2 of the said Article includes those made prior to the date of entry into force
of this Agreement.
Article 4
1. Japan waives all claims of Japan and its nations against the United States of America and its nationals and against
the local authorities of the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands, arising from the presence, operations or actions of forces
or authorities of the United States of America in these islands, or from the presence, operations or actions of forces or
authorities of the United States of America having had any effect upon these islands, prior to the date of entry into force
of this Agreement.
2. The waiver in paragraph 1 above does not, however, include claims of Japanese nationals specifically recognized
in the laws of the United States of America or the local laws of these islands applicable during the period of United States
administration of these islands. The Government of the United States of America is authorised to maintain its duly empowered
officials in the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands in order to deal with and settle such claims on and after the date of
entry into force of this Agreement in accordance with the procedures to be established in consultation with the Government
of Japan.
3. The Government of the United States of America will make ex gratia contributions for restoration of lands to the
nationals of Japan whose lands in the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands were damaged prior to July 1, 1950, while placed
under the use of United States authorities, and were released from their use after June 30, 1961 and before the date of entry
into force of this Agreement. Such contributions will be made in an equitable manner in relation under High Commissioner
Ordinance Number 60 of 1967 to claims for damages done prior to July 1, 1950 to the lands released prior to July 1, 1961.
4. Japan recognizes the validity of all acts and omissions done during the period of the United States administration
of the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands under or in consequence of directives of the United States or local authorities,
authorised by existing law during that period, and will take no action subjecting the United States nationals or the residents
of these islands to civil or criminal liability arising out of such acts of omissions.
Article 5
1. Japan recognizes the validity of, and will continue in full force and effect, final judgements in civil cases rendered
by any court in the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands prior to the date of entry into force of this Agreement, provided
that such recognition or continuation would not be contrary to public policy.
2. Without in any way adversely affecting the substantive rights and positions of the litigants concerned, Japan
will assume jurisdiction over and continue judgement and execution of any civil case pending as of the date of entry into
force of this Agreement in any court in the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands.
3. Without in any way adversely affecting the substantive rights of the accused or suspect concerned, Japan
will assume jurisdiction over, and may continue or institute proceedings with respect to, any criminal cases with which
any court in the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands is seized as of the date of entry into force of this Agreement or
would have been seized had the proceedings been instituted prior to such date.
4. Japan may continue the execution of any final judgements rendered in criminal cases by any court in the
Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands.
Article 6
1. The properties of the Ryukyu Electric Power Corporation, the Ryukyu Domestic Water Corporation and the Ryukyu
Development Loan Corporation shall be transferred to the Government of Japan on the date of entry into force of this
Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the said Corporations shall be assumed by the Government of Japan on that
date on conformity with the laws and regulations of Japan.
2. All other properties of the Government of the United States of America, existing in the Ryukyu Islands and
the Daito Islands as of the date of entry into force of this Agreement and located outside the facilities and areas provided
on that date in accordance with Article III of this Agreement, shall be transferred to the Government of Japan on that date,
except for those that are located on the lands returned to the landowners concerned before the date of entry into force of
this Agreement and for those the title to which will be retained by the Government of the United States of America after that
date with the consent of the Government of Japan.
3. Such lands in the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands reclaimed by the Government of the United States of America
and such other reclaimed lands acquired by it in these islands are held by the Government of the United States of America as of
the date of entry into force of this Agreement become the property of the Government of Japan on that date.
4. The United States of America is not obliged to compensate Japan or its nationals for any alteration made prior to
the date of entry into force of this agreement to the lands upon which the properties transferred to the Government of Japan
under paragraphs I and 2 above are located.
Article 7
Considering, inter alia, that United States assets are being transferred to the Government of Japan under Article VI of
this Agreement, that the Government of the United States of America is carrying out the return of the Ryukyu Islands and the
Daito Islands to Japan in a manner consistent with the policy of the Government of Japan as specified in paragraph 8 of the
Joint Communique of November 21,1969, and that the Government of the United States of America will bear extra costs,
particularly in the area of employment after reversion, the Government of Japan will pay to the Government of the United States
of America in United States dollars a total amount of three hundred and twenty million United States dollars (U.S. $320,000,000)
over a period of five years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement. Of the said amount, the Government of Japan will
pay one hundred million United States dollars (U.S. $100,000,000) within one week after the date of entry into force of this
Agreement and the remainder in four equal annual instalments in June of each calendar year subsequent to the year in which
this Agreement enters into force.
Article 8
The Government of Japan consents to the continued operation by the Government of the United States of America of
the Voice of America relay station on Okinawa island for a period of five years from the date of entry into force of this
Agreement in accordance with the arrangements to be concluded between the two Governments. The two Governments shall enter
into consultation two years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement on future operation of the Voice of America
on Okinawa Island.
Article 9
This Agreement shall be ratified and the instruments of ratification shall be exchanged at Tokyo. This Agreement shall
enter into force two months after the date of exchange of the instruments of ratification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorised by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
DONE at Washington and Tokyo, this seventeenth day of June, 1971, in duplicate in the English and Japanese language,
both equally authentic.
For the United States of America: WILLIAM P. ROGERS
The U.S. reverted the islands to Japan on May 15, 1972.
The Okinawa Reversion Agreement is called as follows in Chinese and Japanese:
Chinese
Japanese
Chongsheng guihuan xieding 沖繩歸還協定
Okinawa henkan kyōtei 沖縄返還協定
The full formal title (Agreement between Japan and the United States of America Concerning the Ryukyu Islands
and the Daito Islands) translates to Japanese as follows: Ryūkyū shotō oyobi Daitō shotō
ni kansuru Nippon kokuto Amerika gasshū koku tono aidano kyōtei
琉球諸島及び大東諸島に関する日本国とアメリカ合衆国との間の協定.
Memorandum from the Assistant Legal Adviser for East Asia and the Pacific (L/EA - Robert I. Starr) to
the Director of the Office of Republic of China Affairs (Charles T. Sylvester)
July 13, 1971
Subject: "Legal Status of Taiwan"
You have asked for a comprehensive memorandum analyzing the question of the legal status of Taiwan in
terms suitable for Congressional presentation. Attached is a paper that should serve this purpose. It is drawn
mainly from the February 3, 1961 Czyzak memorandum, and contains no sensitive information or reference to
classified documents.
Concurrence: L – Mr. Salans
L:L/EA:RIStarr:cdj: 7/13/71 ex 28900
Legal Status of Taiwan
Prior to the Korean Hostilities
From the middle of the 17th century to 1895, Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores (Penghu) were part of the Chinese Empire.
China then ceded these islands to Japan in 1895 in the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Shimonoseki.
In the Cairo Declaration of 1943, the United States, Great Britain, and China stated it to be their purpose that "all the
territories that Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as…Formosa and the Pescadores, shall be restored to the Republic of China".
These same three governments on July 26, 1945 issued the Potsdam Proclamation declaring that "the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall
be carried out and Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, and such minor islands as
we determine". On August 8, 1945 the Soviet Union adhered to the Potsdam Proclamation. By an Imperial Rescript of September 2, 1945,
the Japanese Emperor accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, and in the Instrument of Surrender signed on the same date, the
Japanese Government "and their successors" undertook to carry out the provisions of the Declaration.
Pursuant to Japanese Imperial General Headquarters General Order No. 1, issued at the direction of the Supreme Commander for the
Allied Powers (SCAP), Japanese commanders in Formosa surrendered to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek "acting on behalf of the United States,
the Republic of China, the United Kingdom and the British Empire, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics". Continuously since that
time, the Government of the Republic of China has occupied and exercised authority over Formosa and the Pescadores.
The view of the U.S. in the intermediate post-war period was typified by a statement on April 11, 1947 of then Acting Secretary of
State Acheson, in a letter to Senator Ball, that the transfer of sovereignty over Formosa to China "has not yet been formalized".
After a prolonged period of civil strife the Chinese Communists succeeded in driving the Government of the Republic of China off
the Chinese mainland. On October 1, 1949 the Chinese Communists proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China. The seat
of the Government of the Republic of China was transferred to Formosa, and in early December 1949, Taipei became its provisional capital.
Shortly thereafter, President Truman, in a statement of January 5, 1950, referred to a U.N. General Assembly Resolution of December 8,
1949, (Res. 291(IV)) which called on all states to refrain from "(a) seeking to acquire spheres of influence or to create foreign controlled
regimes within the territory of China; (b) seeking to obtain special rights or privileges within the territory of China". He said:
"A specific application of the foregoing principles is seen in the present situation with respect to Formosa …
"The United States has no predatory designs on Formosa or on any other Chinese territory. The United States has no desire to obtain
special rights or privileges or to establish military bases on Formosa at this time… the United States Government will no pursue a course
which will lead to involvement in the civil conflict in China."
The Korean Conflict
The outbreak of hostilities in Korea on June 25, 1950 brought to the fore the question of the status of Formosa and the Pescadores.
President Truman ordered the U.S. Seventh Fleet to prevent any attack on Formosa, and as a corollary called upon the Chinese Government
on Formosa to cease all operations against the mainland. In addition, he stated that "the determination of the future status of Formosa
must await the restoration of security in the Pacific, a peace settlement with Japan, or consideration by the United Nations".
On August 24, 1950 the United States explained its position to the United Nations Security Council in the following terms:
"The action of the United States was expressly to be without prejudice to the future political settlement of the status of the island.
The actual status of the island is that it is territory taken from Japan by the victory of the allied forces in the Pacific. Like other such
territories, its legal status cannot be fixed until there is international action to determine its future. The Chinese Government was asked
by the allies to take the surrender of the Japanese forces on the Island. That is the reason the Chinese are there now."
By a letter dated September 20, 1950, the United States requested that the question of Formosa be placed on the agenda of the fifth
session of the U.N. General Assembly. In an explanatory note of September 21, the United States, citing the Cairo and Potsdam declarations
and the Japanese surrender, stated nevertheless:
"Formal transfer of Formosa to China was to await the conclusion of peace with Japan or some other appropriate formal act."
That note also stated:
"The Government of the United States has made it abundantly clear that the measures it has taken with respect to Formosa were without
prejudice to the long-term political status of Formosa, and the United States has no territorial ambitions and seeks no special position of
privilege with respect to Formosa. The United States believes further that the future of Formosa and of the nearly eight million people
inhabited there should be settled by peaceful means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations."
Japanese Peace Treaty
From September 4 to 8, 1951 a conference for the conclusion and signature of a Treaty of Peace was held at San Francisco. China was
not represented at the Conference because of the disagreement among the participants as to who actually represented the government of that
country. Reflecting this disagreement is article 2 of the Peace Treaty, which reads in its pertinent part:
"(b) Japan renounces all right, title, and claim to Formosa and the Pescadores."
John Foster Dulles, U.S. delegate at the Conference, commented on this provision in article 2:
"Some Allied Powers suggested that article 2 should not merely delimit Japanese sovereignty according to Potsdam, but specify precisely
the ultimate disposition of each of the ex-Japanese territories. This, admittedly, would have been neater. But it would have raised questions
as to which there are now no agreed answers. We had either to give Japan peace on the Potsdam Surrender Terms or deny peace to Japan while the
allies quarrel about what shall be done with what Japan is prepared, and required, to give up. Clearly, the wise course was to proceed now, so
far as Japan is concerned, leaving the future to resolve doubts by invoking international solvents other than this treaty."
The delegate of the United Kingdom remarked:
"The treaty also provides for Japan to renounce its sovereignty over Formosa and the Pescadores Islands. The treaty itself does not
determine the future of these islands."
The USSR refused to sign the Treaty. It objected, among other things, to the provision regarding Formosa and the Pescadores:
"…this draft grossly violates the indisputable rights of China to the return of integral parts of Chinese territory: Taiwan, the
Pescadores, the Paracel and other islands…. The draft contains only a reference to the renunciation by Japan of its rights to these
territories but intentionally omits any mention of the further fate of these territories."
It is clear from these and other statements made at San Francisco, that although the Treaty provision constituted an appropriate act
of renunciation by Japan, the future status of Formosa and the Pescadores was not considered to have finally been determined by the Peace
Treaty.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations also took this view. In its Report on the Treaty dated February 14, 1952, the Committee stated:
"It is important to remember that article 2 is a renunciatory article and makes no provision for the power or powers which are to succeed
Japan in the possession of and sovereignty over the ceded territory.
"During the negotiation of the Treaty some of the Allied Powers expressed the view that article 2 of the treaty should not only relieve
Japan of its sovereignty over the territories in question but should indicate specifically what disposition was to be made of each of them.
The committee believes, however, that this would have complicated and prolonged the conclusion of the peace. Under the circumstances it seems
far better to have the treaty enter into force now, leaving to the future the final disposition of such areas as South Sakhalin and the Kuriles."
Although China was not a party to the San Francisco Treaty, a separate Treaty of Peace between the Republic of China and Japan was signed
in Taipei on April 28, 1952. Article II of that treaty provided:
"It is recognized that under Article 2 of the Treaty of Peace with Japan signed at the city of San Francisco in the united States of America
on September 8, 1951…, Japan has renounced all right, title and claim to Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu (the Pescadores)…."
Explaining this provision to the Legislative Yuan, Foreign Minister Yeh of the Republic of China stated that under the San Francisco Peace
Treaty "no provision was made for the return [of these islands] to China." He continued:
"Inasmuch as these territories were originally owned by us and as they are now under our control and, furthermore, Japan has renounced in
the Sino-Japanese peace treaty these territories under the San Francisco Treaty of Peace, they are, therefore, in fact restored to us."
At another point, Foreign Minister Yeh stated that "no provision has been made either in the San Francisco Treaty of Peace as to the future
of Taiwan and Penghu". During the interpellations of the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty in the Legislative Yuan, the Foreign Minister was asked, "What
is the status of Formosa and the Pescadores?" He replied:
"Formosa and the Pescadores were formerly Chinese territories. As Japan has renounced her claim to Formosa and the Pescadores, only China has
the right to take them over. In fact, we are controlling them now, and undoubtedly they constitute a part of our territories. However, the delicate
international situation makes it that they do not belong to us. Under present circumstances, Japan has no right to transfer Formosa an the Pescadores
to us; nor can we accept such a transfer from Japan even if she so wishes… In the Sino-Japanese peace treaty, we have made provisions to signify that
residents including juristic persons of Formosa and the Pescadores bear Chinese nationality, and this provision may serve to mend any future gaps
when Formosa and the Pescadores are restored to us."
Chinese Mutual Defense Treaty
Against the background of a Chinese Communist propaganda campaign in July, 1954 for the "liberation" of Taiwan, supplemented in September,
1954 by military action against Quemoy and other offshore islands, the United States and the Republic of China signed a Mutual Defense Treaty on
December 2, 1954. The first paragraph of Article V of the Treaty reads:
"Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the West Pacific Area directed against the territories of either of the Parties would be
dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes."
Article VI provides that for the purpose of Article V the term "territories" shall mean in respect to the Republic of China, "Taiwan and the
Pescadores". In an exchange of notes accompanying the Treaty, there appears the statement, "The Republic of China effectively controls both the
territory described in Article VI of the Treaty… and other territory".
In its report on the Treaty, the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations discussed the question of the true status of Formosa and the
Pescadores:
"By the peace treaty of September 8, 1951, signed with the United States and other powers, Japan renounced 'all right, title and claim to
Formosa and the Pescadores.' The treaty did not specify the nation to which such right, title and claim passed. Although the Republic of China
was not a signatory to the Treaty, it recognized that it did not dispose finally of Formosa and the Pescadores ….
"…he (Secretary Dulles) informed the committee that the reference in article V to 'the territories of either of the Parties' was language
carefully chosen to avoid denoting anything one way or the other as to their sovereignty.
"It is the view of the committee that the coming in to force of the present treaty will not modify or affect the existing legal status of
Formosa and the Pescadores. The treaty appears to be wholly consistent with all actions taken by the United States in this matter since the end
of World War II, and does not introduce any basically new element in our relations with the territories in question. Both by act and by implication
we have accepted the Nationalist Government as the lawful authority on Formosa."
To avoid any possibility of misunderstanding on this aspect of the treaty, the committee decided it would be useful to include in this report
to following statement: "It is the understanding of the Senate that nothing in the treaty shall be construed as affecting or modifying the legal
status or sovereignty of the territories to which it applies."
In presenting the Committee's report to the Senate on February 9, 1955, Senator Walter George referred to the question of the legal status
of Taiwan: "The view was advance during committee's consideration of the treaty that it may have the effect of recognizing that the government
of Chiang Kai-shek has sovereignty over Formosa and the Pescadores."
On the one hand, reference was made to the Cairo Declaration which stated that Japan was to be stripped of her island territories in the
Pacific and that territories stolen from the Chinese such as Formosa and the Pescadores shall be restored to the Republic of China. On the other
hand, reference was made to the fact that while Japan renounced all right, title and claim to Formosa and the Pescadores, such title was not
conveyed to any nation. After full exploration of this matter with Secretary Dulles, the committee decided that this treaty was not a competent
instrument to resolve doubts about sovereignty over Formosa. It agreed to include in its report the following statement:
"It is the understanding of the Senate that nothing in the present treaty shall be construed as affecting or modifying the legal status or
the sovereignty of the territories referred to in article VI.
In other words, so far as the United States in concerned, it is our understanding that the legal status of the territories referred to in
article VI, namely, Formosa and the Pescadores – whatever their status may be – is not altered in any way by the conclusion of this treaty."
Quemoy and Matsu
It may be well to note the special status of the offshore islands, the Quemoy and Matsu groups, in contrast to that of Formosa and the
Pescadores as described here. The offshore islands have always been considered as part of "China". As Secretary Dulles explained in 1954:
"The legal position is different..., by virtue of the fact that technical sovereignty over Formosa and the Pescadores has never been settled.
That is because the Japanese Peace Treaty merely involves a renunciation by Japan of its right and title to these islands. But the future title
is not determined by the Japanese Peace Treaty nor is it determined by the Peace Treaty which was concluded between the Republic of China and
Japan. Therefore the juridical status of these islands, Formosa and the Pescadores, is different from the juridical status of the offshore
islands which have always been Chinese territory."
Recent Restatement of the United States Position
The position of the United States was set forth by the States Department in connection with the 1970 Hearings before the Subcommittee on
the United States Security Agreements and Commitments Abroad of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (91st Cong., 2d Sess.):
"Legal Status of Taiwan as Defined in Japanese Peace Treaty and Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty
"Article 2 of the Japanese Peace treaty, signed on September 8, 1951 at San Francisco, provides that 'Japan renounces all right, title and
claim to Formosa and the Pescadores'. The same language was used in Article 2 of the Treaty of Peace between China and Japan signed on April 28,
1952. In neither treaty did Japan cede this area to any particular entity. As Taiwan and the Pescadores are not covered by any existing
international disposition, sovereignty over the area is an unsettled question subject to future international resolution. Both the Republic
of China and the Chinese Communists disagree with this conclusion and consider that Taiwan and the Pescadores are part of the sovereign state
of China. The United States recognized the Government of the Republic of Taiwan as legitimately occupying and exercising jurisdiction over Taiwan
and the Pescadores."
The future relationship of Taiwan to mainland China and the resolution of disputes dividing the governments in Taipei and Peking involve
issues that the United States cannot resolve. We have made clear that our primary concern is that these issues should be resolved by peaceful
means, without resort to the use of force. Until such a resolution is achieved we may continue to deal respectively with the government of the
People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of China on matters affecting mutual interests, accepting the practical situation
as we find it.
2758 (XXVI). Restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations
The General Assembly,
Recalling the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Considering the restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China is essential both
for the protection of the Charter of the United Nations and for the cause that the United Nations must serve under
the Charter,
Recognizing that the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only
lawful representatives of China to the United Nations and that the People's Republic of China is one of the five
permanent members of the Security Council,
Decides to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the representatives
of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the
representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the
organizations related to it.
According to records provided by the United Nations,
voting summary was as follows: 76 Yes, 35 No, 17 Abstentions, 3 Non-voting. Total voting membership was 131. The following list
shows the voting summary in detail, ROC diplomatic allies at the time being highlighted
with a red asterisk (*).
Yes
No
Abstentions
Non-voting
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Austria
Belgium *
Bhutan
Botswana *
Bulgaria
Burma
Burundi
Byelorussian SSR
Cameroon
Canada
Ceylon
Chile
Congo (Brazzaville)
Cuba
Czechoslovakia
Democratic Yemen
Denmark
Ecuador *
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Ghana
Guinea
Guyana
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Kenya
Kuwait
Laos
Libyan Arab Republic *
Malaysia
Mali
Mauritania
Mexico *
Mongolia
Morocco
Nepal
Netherlands
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Peru *
Poland
Portugal *
Romania
Rwanda *
Senegal *
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Somalia
Sudan
Sweden
Syrian Arab Republic
Tanzania
Togo *
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukrainian SSR
USSR
United Kingdom
Yemen
Yugoslavia
Zambia
Australia *
Bolivia *
Brazil *
Central African Republic *
Chad *
Congo (Leopoldville) *
Costa Rica *
Dahomey *
Dominican Republic *
El Salvador *
Gabon *
Gambia *
Guatemala *
Haiti *
Honduras *
Ivory Coast *
Japan *
Khmer Republic
Lesotho *
Liberia *
Madagascar *
Malawi *
Malta *
New Zealand *
Nicaragua *
Niger *
Paraguay *
Philippines *
Saudi Arabia *
South Africa
Swaziland *
United States *
Upper Volta *
Uruguay *
Venezuela *
Argentina *
Bahrain
Barbados *
Colombia *
Cyprus *
Fiji
Greece *
Indonesia
Jamaica *
Jordan *
Lebanon *
Luxembourg *
Mauritius
Panama *
Qatar
Spain *
Thailand *
China
Maldives *
Oman
On the day of the vote the ROC maintained diplomatic relations with 59 states, 56 of them UN members, but only 33 allies
supported keeping the ROC on China's UN seat, 23 allies denying the ROC support in the vote by voting Yes, abstaining or not
participating in the vote.
10 ROC diplomatic allies voted Yes (i. e. in favour of the PRC and against the ROC): Belgium, Botswana, Ecuador, Libya,
Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Rwanda, Senegal, and Togo. All of them cut official ties with the ROC before the end of September 1978.
12 ROC diplomatic allies abstained: Argentina, Barbados, Colombia, Cyprus, Greece, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg,
Panama, Spain, and Thailand. All of them (except Panama) cut official ties with the ROC
before the end of February 1980; Panama did so on June 13, 2017.
The Maldives were an ROC diplomatic ally (until April 15, 1972) but are listed as non-voting.
Two UN members which did not maintain formal diplomatic relations with the ROC at the time but supported the ROC by voting
No were the Khmer Republic (today's Cambodia) and South Africa.
The voting list did not include three additional ROC diplomatic allies—South Korea became a UN member on Sept. 17,
1991 (cut official ties with the ROC on Aug. 24, 1992); Vietnam joined the UN on Sept. 20, 1977 (South Vietnam cut official ties with
the ROC on April 30, 1975); and the Vatican is not a UN member but an observer since April 6, 1964.
It should be pointed out that the text of the UN Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan at all, so it doesn't support Beijing's
claim that Taiwan 'is part of the PRC'.
🔴
"Other texts and documents", UN Resolution 1668: Representation of China in the United Nations (1961)
1. President Richard Nixon of the United States of America visited the People's Republic of China at the invitation of Premier
Chou En-lai of the People's Republic of China from February 21 to February 28, 1972. Accompanying the President were Mrs. Nixon, U.S.
Secretary of State William Rogers, Assistant to the President Dr. Henry Kissinger, and other American officials.
2. President Nixon met with Chairman Mao Tsetung of the Communist Party of China on February 21. The two leaders had a serious and
frank exchange of views on Sino-U.S. relations and world affairs.
3. During the visit, extensive, earnest and frank discussions were held between President Nixon and Premier Chou En-lai on the
normalization of relations between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China, as well as on other matters of interest
to both sides. In addition, Secretary of State William Rogers and Foreign Minister Chi Peng-fei held talks in the same spirit.
4. President Nixon and his party visited Peking and viewed cultural, industrial and agricultural sites, and they also toured
Hangchow and Shanghai where, continuing discussions with Chinese leaders, they viewed similar places of interest.
5. The leaders of the People's Republic of China and the United States of America found it beneficial to have this opportunity, after
so many years without contact, to present candidly to one another their views on a variety of issues. They reviewed the international
situation in which important changes and great upheavals are taking place and expounded their respective positions and attitudes.
6. The Chinese side stated: Wherever there is oppression, there is resistance. Countries want independence, nations want liberation
and the people want revolution—this has become the irresistible trend of history. All nations, big or small, should be equal: big nations
should not bully the small and strong nations should not bully the weak. China will never be a superpower and it opposes hegemony and power
politics of any kind. The Chinese side stated that it firmly supports the struggles of all the oppressed people and nations for freedom and
liberation and that the people of all countries have the right to choose their social systems according their own wishes and the right to
safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of their own countries and oppose foreign aggression, interference, control
and subversion. All foreign troops should be withdrawn to their own countries. The Chinese side expressed its firm support to the peoples
of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia in their efforts for the attainment of their goal and its firm support to the seven-point proposal of the
Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet Nam and the elaboration of February this year on the two key problems
in the proposal, and to the Joint Declaration of the Summit Conference of the Indochinese Peoples. It firmly supports the eight-point program
for the peaceful unification of Korea put forward by the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on April 12, 1971, and the
stand for the abolition of the "U.N. Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea". It firmly opposes the revival and outward
expansion of Japanese militarism and firmly supports the Japanese people's desire to build an independent, democratic, peaceful and neutral
Japan. It firmly maintains that India and Pakistan should, in accordance with the United Nations resolutions on the Indo-Pakistan question,
immediately withdraw all their forces to their respective territories and to their own sides of the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir and
firmly supports the Pakistan Government and people in their struggle to preserve their independence and sovereignty and the people of Jammu
and Kashmir in their struggle for the right of self-determination.
7. The U.S. side stated: Peace in Asia and peace in the world requires efforts both to reduce immediate tensions and to eliminate the
basic causes of conflict. The United States will work for a just and secure peace: just, because it fulfills the aspirations of peoples and
nations for freedom and progress; secure, because it removes the danger of foreign aggression. The United States supports individual freedom
and social progress for all the peoples of the world, free of outside pressure or intervention. The United States believes that the effort
to reduce tensions is served by improving communication between countries that have different ideologies so as to lessen the risks of
confrontation through accident, miscalculation or misunderstanding. Countries should treat each other with mutual respect and be willing
to compete peacefully, letting performance be the ultimate judge. No country should claim infallibility and each country should be prepared
to reexamine its own attitudes for the common good. The United States stressed that the peoples of Indochina should be allowed to determine
their destiny without outside intervention; its constant primary objective has been a negotiated solution; the eight-point proposal put forward
by the Republic of Viet Nam and the United States on January 27, 1972 represents a basis for the attainment of that objective; in the absence
of a negotiated settlement the United States envisages the ultimate withdrawal of all U.S. forces from the region consistent with the aim of
self-determination for each country of Indochina. The United States will maintain its close ties with and support for the Republic of Korea;
the United States will support efforts of the Republic of Korea to seek a relaxation of tension and increased communication in the Korean
peninsula. The United States places the highest value on its friendly relations with Japan; it will continue to develop the existing close
bonds. Consistent with the United Nations Security Council Resolution of December 21, 1971, the United States favours the continuation of the
ceasefire between India and Pakistan and the withdrawal of all military forces to within their own territories and to their own sides of the
ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir; the United States supports the right of the peoples of South Asia to shape their own future in peace,
free of military threat, and without having the area become the subject of great power rivalry.
8. There are essential differences between China and the United States in their social systems and foreign policies. However, the two
sides agreed that countries, regardless of their social systems, should conduct their relations on the principles of respect for the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, non-aggression against other states, non-interference in the internal affairs of
other states, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. International disputes should be settled on this basis, without
resorting to the use or threat of force. The United States and the People's Republic of China are prepared to apply these principles to
their mutual relations.
9. With these principles of international relations in mind the two sides stated that:
progress toward the normalization of relations between China and the United States is in the interests of all countries;
both wish to reduce the danger of international military conflict;
neither should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region and each is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to establish such hegemony; and
neither is prepared to negotiate on behalf of any third party or to enter into agreements or understandings with the other directed at other states.
10. Both sides are of the view that it would be against the interests of the peoples of the world for any major country to collude
with another against other countries, or for major countries to divide up the world into spheres of interest.
11. The two sides reviewed the long-standing serious disputes between China and the United States. The Chinese side reaffirmed its
position: the Taiwan question is the crucial question obstructing the normalization of relations between China and the United States;
the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government of China; Taiwan is a province of China which has long been
returned to the motherland; the liberation of Taiwan is China's internal affair in which no other country has the right to interfere; and
all U.S. forces and military installations must be withdrawn from Taiwan. The Chinese Government firmly opposes any activities which aim
at the creation of "one China, one Taiwan", "one China, two governments", "two Chinas", an "independent Taiwan" or advocate that "the status
of Taiwan remains to be determined".
12. The U.S. side declared: The United States acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but
one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The United States Government does not challenge that position. It reaffirms its interest in a
peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question by the Chinese themselves. With this prospect in mind, it affirms the ultimate objective of the
withdrawal of all U.S. forces and military installations from Taiwan. In the meantime, it will progressively reduce its forces and military
installations on Taiwan as the tension in the area diminishes. The two sides agreed that it is desirable to broaden the understanding between
the two peoples. To this end, they discussed specific areas in such fields as science, technology, culture, sports and journalism, in which
people-to-people contacts and exchanges would be mutually beneficial. Each side undertakes to facilitate the further development of such
contacts and exchanges.
13. Both sides view bilateral trade as another area from which mutual benefit can be derived, and agreed that economic relations based
on equality and mutual benefit are in the interest of the peoples of the two countries. They agree to facilitate the progressive development
of trade between their two countries.
14. The two sides agreed that they will stay in contact through various channels, including the sending of a senior U.S. representative
to Peking from time to time for concrete consultations to further the normalization of relations between the two countries and continue to
exchange views on issues of common interest.
15. The two sides expressed the hope that the gains achieved during this visit would open up new prospects for the relations between the
two countries. They believe that the normalization of relations between the two countries is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American
peoples but also contributes to the relaxation of tension in Asia and the world.
16. President Nixon, Mrs. Nixon and the American party expressed their appreciation for the gracious hospitality shown them by
the Government and people of the People's Republic of China.
A separate PDF file (102 pages in A4 format, file size 3.2 MB) showing above text plus selected other statements,
declarations, treaties, laws, and communiqués written or co-authored by high-ranking representatives of the PRC pertaining
to the relations with Taiwan can be found here. To view another PDF
file—69 A4 pages, 3.2 MB—showing the full text of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by SEF and ARATS representatives in June 2010
please click here.
Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka of Japan visited the People's Republic of China at the invitation of Premier of the State
Council Chou En-lai of the People's Republic of China from September 25 to September 30, 1972. Accompanying Prime Minister Tanaka
were Minister for Foreign Affairs Masayoshi Ohira, Chief Cabinet Secretary Susumu Nikaido and other government officials.
Chairman Mao Tse-tung met Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka on September 27. They had an earnest and friendly conversation.
Prime Minister Tanaka and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ohira had an earnest and frank exchange of views with Premier Chou En-lai
and Minister for Foreign Affairs Chi Peng-fei in a friendly atmosphere throughout on the question of the normalization of relations
between Japan and China and other problems between the two countries as well as on other matters of interest to both sides, and agreed
to issue the following Joint Communique of the two Governments:
Japan and China are neighbouring countries, separated only by a strip of water with a long history of traditional friendship. The
peoples of the two countries earnestly desire to put an end to the abnormal state of affairs that has hitherto existed between the two
countries. The realization of the aspiration of the two peoples for the termination of the state of war and the normalization of relations
between Japan and China will add a new page to the annals of relations between the two countries.
The Japanese side is keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious damage that Japan caused in the past to the Chinese people
through war, and deeply reproaches itself. Further, the Japanese side reaffirms its position that it intends to realize the normalization of
relations between the two countries from the stand of fully understanding "the three principles for the restoration of relations" put forward
by the Government of the People's Republic of China. The Chinese side expresses its welcome for this.
In spite of the differences in their social systems existing between the two countries, the two countries should, and can, establish
relations of peace and friendship. The normalization of relations and development of good-neighbourly and friendly relations between the two
countries are in the interests of the two peoples and will contribute to the relaxation of tension in Asia and peace in the world.
1. The abnormal state of affairs that has hitherto existed between Japan and the People's Republic of China is terminated on the date
on which this Joint Communique is issued.
2. The Government of Japan recognizes that Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China.
3. The Government of the People's Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's
Republic of China. The Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China,
and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Postsdam Proclamation.
4. The Government of Japan and the Government of People's Republic of China have decided to establish diplomatic relations as from
September 29, 1972. The two Governments have decided to take all necessary measures for the establishment and the performance of the functions
of each other's embassy in their respective capitals in accordance with international law and practice, and to exchange ambassadors as speedily
as possible.
5. The Government of the People's Republic of China declares that in the interest of the friendship between the Chinese and the Japanese
peoples, it renounces its demand for war reparation from Japan.
6. The Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China agree to establish relations of perpetual peace and
friendship between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual
non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.
The two Governments confirm that, in conformity with the foregoing principles and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Japan and China shall in their mutual relations settle all disputes by peaceful means and shall refrain from the use or threat of force.
7. The normalization of relations between Japan and China is not directed against any third country. Neither of the two countries should
seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region and each is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to establish such hegemony.
8. The Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China have agreed that, with a view to solidifying and developing
the relations of peace and friendship between the two countries, the two Governments will enter into negotiations for the purpose of concluding
a treaty of peace and friendship.
9. The Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China have agreed that, with a view to further promoting relations
between the two countries and to expanding interchanges of people, the two Governments will, as necessary and taking account of the existing
non-governmental arrangements, enter into negotiations for the purpose of concluding agreements concerning such matters as trade, shipping,
aviation, and fisheries.
Done at Peking, September 29, 1972
Prime Minister of Japan, Tanaka Kakuei
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ohira Masayoshi
Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Zhou Enlai
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Ji Pengfei
In Japanese, the "Joint Communiqué of the Government of Japan and the Government of the PRC" is called as
follows: Nippon koku seifuto Chūgoku jimmin kyōwakoku seifuno kyōdō seimei
日本国政府と中華人民共和国政府の共同声明.
A separate PDF file (102 pages in A4 format, file size 3.2 MB) showing above text plus selected other statements,
declarations, treaties, laws, and communiqués written or co-authored by high-ranking representatives of the PRC pertaining
to the relations with Taiwan can be found here. To view another PDF
file—69 A4 pages, 3.2 MB—showing the full text of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by SEF and ARATS representatives in June 2010
please click here.
Recalling with satisfaction that since the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China
issued a Joint Communique in Peking on September 29, 1972, the friendly relations between the two Governments and the
peoples of the two countries have developed greatly on a new basis.
Confirming that the above-mentioned Joint Communique constitutes the basis of the relations of peace and friendship
between the two countries and that the principles enunciated in the Joint Communique should be strictly observed.
Confirming that the principles of the Charter of the United Nations should be fully respected.
Hoping to contribute to peace and stability in Asia and in the world.
For the purpose of solidifying and developing the relations of peace and friendship between the two countries.
Have resolved to conclude a Treaty of Peace and Friendship and for that purpose have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries:
● Japan: Minister for Foreign Affairs Sunao Sonoda
● People's Republic of China: Minister of Foreign Affairs Huang Hua
Who, having communicated to each other their full powers, found to be in good and due form, have agreed as follows:
Article 1
1. The Contracting Parties shall develop relations of perpetual peace and friendship between the two countries
on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression,
non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.
2. The Contracting Parties confirm that, in conformity with the foregoing principles and the principles of
the Charter of the United Nations, they shall in their mutual relations settle all disputes by peaceful means and
shall refrain from the use or threat of force.
Article 2
The Contracting Parties declare that neither of them should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region or in any
other region and that each is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to establish such hegemony.
Article 3
The Contracting parties shall, in the good-neighbourly and friendly spirit and in conformity with the principles of
equality and mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, endeavor to further develop economic
and cultural relations between the two countries and to promote exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.
Article 4
The present Treaty shall not affect the position of either Contracting Party regarding its relations with third countries.
Article 5
1. The present Treaty shall be ratified and shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of instruments of
ratification which shall take place at Tokyo. The present Treaty shall remain in force for ten years and thereafter shall
continue to be in force until terminated in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2.
2. Either Contracting Party may, by giving one year's written notice to the other Contracting Party, terminate
the present Treaty at the end of the initial ten-year period or at any time thereafter.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty and have affixed thereto their seals.
DONE in duplicate, in the Japanese and Chinese languages, both texts being equally authentic, at Peking, this twelfth day of August, 1978.
For the People's Republic of China: Huang Hua (signature)
In Japanese, the "Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the PRC" is called as follows:
Nippon kokuto Chūgoku jimmin kyōwakoku tono aidano heiwa yūkō jōyaku
日本国と中華人民共和国との間の平和友好条約.
A separate PDF file (102 pages in A4 format, file size 3.2 MB) showing above text plus selected other statements,
declarations, treaties, laws, and communiqués written or co-authored by high-ranking representatives of the PRC pertaining
to the relations with Taiwan can be found here. To view another PDF
file—69 A4 pages, 3.2 MB—showing the full text of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by SEF and ARATS representatives in June 2010
please click here.
(The communiqué was released on December 15, 1978, in Washington and Beijing.)
1. The United States of America and the People's Republic of China have agreed to recognize each other and to establish
diplomatic relations as of January 1, 1979.
2. The United States of America recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government
of China. Within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations
with the people of Taiwan.
3. The United States of America and the People's Republic of China reaffirm the principles agreed on by the two sides in
the Shanghai Communiqué and emphasize once again that:
4. Both wish to reduce the danger of international military conflict.
5. Neither should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region or in any other region of the world and each is opposed to efforts
by any other country or group of countries to establish such hegemony.
6. Neither is prepared to negotiate on behalf of any third party or to enter into agreements or understandings with the other
directed at other states.
7. The Government of the United States of America acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is
part of China.
8. Both believe that normalization of Sino-American relations is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American peoples
but also contributes to the cause of peace in Asia and the world.
The United States of America and the People's Republic of China will exchange Ambassadors and establish Embassies on March 1, 1979.
A separate PDF file (102 pages in A4 format, file size 3.2 MB) showing above text plus selected other statements,
declarations, treaties, laws, and communiqués written or co-authored by high-ranking representatives of the PRC pertaining
to the relations with Taiwan can be found here. To view another PDF
file—69 A4 pages, 3.2 MB—showing the full text of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by SEF and ARATS representatives in June 2010
please click here.
(The Standing Committee of the Fifth National People's Congress at its Fifth Plenary Session on December 26, 1978
adopted after discussion a message to compatriots in Taiwan.)
Dear Compatriots in Taiwan:
Today is New Year's Day 1979. We hereby extend our cordial and sincere greetings to you on behalf of the people of
all nationalities on the mainland of our motherland.
As an old saying goes, "When festival times come round people think all the more of their loved ones." On this happy
occasion as we celebrate New Year's Day, our thoughts turn all the more to our kith and kin, our old folks, our brothers and
sisters, in Taiwan. We know you have the motherland and your kinsfolk on the mainland in mind too. This mutual feeling of
many years standing grows with each passing day. From the day when Taiwan was unfortunately separated from the motherland
in 1949, we have not been able to communicate with or visit each other, our motherland has not been able to achieve reunification,
relatives have been unable to get together, and our nation, country and people have suffered greatly as a result. All Chinese
compatriots and people of Chinese descent throughout the world look forward to an early end to this regrettable state of
affairs.
The Chinese nation is a great nation. It accounts for almost a quarter of the world's population and has a long history
and brilliant culture, and its outstanding contributions to world civilization and human progress are universally recognized.
Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times. The Chinese nation has great vitality and cohesion. Throughout
its history, foreign invasions and internal strife have failed to split our nation permanently. Taiwan's separation from the
motherland for nearly 30 years has been artificial and against our national interests and aspirations, and this state of affairs
must not be allowed to continue. Every Chinese, in Taiwan or on the mainland, has a compelling responsibility for the survival,
growth and prosperity of the Chinese nation. The important task of reunifying our motherland, on which hinges the future of the
whole nation, now lies before us all; it is an issue no one can evade or should try to. If we do not quickly set about ending
this disunity so that our motherland is reunified at an early date, how can we answer our ancestors and explain to our descendants?
This sentiment is shared by all. Who among the descendants of the Yellow Emperor wishes to go down in history as a traitor?
Radical changes have taken place in China's status in the world over the past 30 years. Our country's international prestige
is rising constantly and its international role becomes ever more important. The people and governments of almost all countries
place tremendous hopes on us in the struggle against hegemonism and in safeguarding peace and stability in Asia and the world as
a whole. Every Chinese is proud to see the growing strength and prosperity of our motherland. If we can end the present disunity
and join forces soon, there will be no end to our contributions to the future of mankind. Early reunification of our motherland
is not only the common desire of all the people of China, including our compatriots in Taiwan, but the common wish of all
peace-loving peoples and countries the world over.
Reunification of China today is consonant with popular sentiment and the general trend of development. The world in general
recognizes only one China, with the government of the People's Republic of China as its sole legal government. The recent conclusion
of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the normalization of relations between China and the United States show still
more clearly that no one can stop this trend. The present situation in the motherland, one of stability and unity, is better than
ever. The people of all nationalities on the mainland are working hard with one will for the great goal of the four modernizations.
It is our fervent hope that Taiwan returns to the embrace of the motherland at an early date so that we can work together for the
great cause of national development. Our state leaders have firmly declared that they will take present realities into account in
accomplishing the great cause of reunifying the motherland and respect the status quo on Taiwan and the opinions of people in all
walks of life there and adopt reasonable policies and measures in settling the question of reunification so as not to cause the
people of Taiwan any losses. On the other hand, people in all walks of life in Taiwan have expressed their yearning for their
homeland and old friends, stated their desire "to identify themselves with and rejoin their kinsmen," and raised diverse proposals
which are expressions of their earnest hope for an early return to the embrace of the motherland. As all conditions now are favourable
for reunification and everything is set, no one should go against the will of the nation and against the trend of history.
We place hopes on the 17 million people on Taiwan and also the Taiwan authorities. The Taiwan authorities have always taken a
firm stand of one China and have been opposed to an independent Taiwan. We have this stand in common and it is the basis for our
co-operation. Our position has always been that all patriots belong to one family. The responsibility for reunifying the motherland
rests with each of us. We hope the Taiwan authorities will treasure national interests and make valuable contributions to the
reunification of the motherland.
The Chinese government has ordered the People's Liberation Army to stop the bombardment of Jinmen (Quemoy) and other islands as
from today. A state of military confrontation between the two sides still exists along the Taiwan Straits. This can only breed man-made
tension. We hold that first of all this military confrontation should be ended through discussion between the government of the People's
Republic of China and the Taiwan authorities so as to create the necessary prerequisites and a secure environment for the two sides to
make contacts and exchanges in whatever area.
The prolonged separation has led to inadequate mutual understanding between the compatriots on the mainland and on Taiwan and
various inconveniences for both sides. Since overseas Chinese residing in faraway foreign lands can return for visits and tours and
hold reunions with their families, why can't compatriots living so near, on the mainland and on Taiwan, visit each other freely? We
hold that there is no reason for such barriers to remain. We hope that at an early date transportation and postal services between
both sides will be established to make it easier for compatriots of both sides to have direct contact, write to each other, visit
relatives and friends, exchange tours and visits and carry out academic, cultural, sports and technological interchanges.
Economically speaking, Taiwan and the mainland of the motherland were originally one entity. Unfortunately, economic ties have
been suspended for many years. Construction is going ahead vigorously on the motherland and it is our wish that Taiwan also grows
economically more prosperous. There is every reason for us to develop trade between us, each making up what the other lacks, and
carry out economic exchanges. This is mutually required and will benefit both parties without doing any harm to either.
Dear compatriots in Taiwan,
The bright future of our great motherland belongs to us and to you. The reunification of the motherland is the sacred mission
history has handed to our generation. Times are moving ahead and the situation is developing. The earlier we fulfil this mission, the
sooner we can jointly write an unprecedented, brilliant page in the history for our country, catch up with advanced powers and work
together with them for world peace, prosperity and progress. Let us join hands and work together for this glorious goal!
A separate PDF file (102 pages in A4 format, file size 3.2 MB) showing above text plus selected other statements,
declarations, treaties, laws, and communiqués written or co-authored by high-ranking representatives of the PRC pertaining
to the relations with Taiwan can be found here. To view another PDF
file—69 A4 pages, 3.2 MB—showing the full text of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by SEF and ARATS representatives in June 2010
please click here.
To help maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western
Pacific and to promote the foreign policy of the United States by authorizing
the continuation of commercial, cultural, and other relations between the
people of the United States and the people on Taiwan, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
(a) The President—having terminated governmental
relations between the United States and the governing authorities on Taiwan recognized by the United States as the Republic of China prior to January 1, 1979, the Congress finds that the enactment of this Act is necessary—
(1) to help maintain peace, security, and stability
in the Western Pacific; and
(2) to promote the foreign policy of the United
States by authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural, and other
relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan.
(b) It is the policy of the United States—
(1) to preserve and promote extensive, close, and
friendly commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the
United States and the people on Taiwan, as well as the people on the China
mainland and all other peoples of the Western Pacific area;
(2) to declare that peace and stability in the area are
in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern;
(3) to make clear that the United States decision to
establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful
means;
(4) to consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes, a threat to the
peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States;
(5) to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character;
and
(6) to maintain the capacity of the United States to
resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the
security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan.
(c) Nothing contained in this Act shall contravene
the interest of the United States in human rights, especially with respect to
the human rights of all the approximately eighteen million inhabitants of Taiwan. The preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan are hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States.
(a) In furtherance of the policy set forth in
section 2 of this Act, the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to
enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.
(b) The President and the Congress shall determine the
nature and quantity of such defense articles and services based solely upon
their judgment of the needs of Taiwan, in accordance with procedures
established by law. Such determination of Taiwan's defense needs shall include
review by United States military authorities in connection with recommendations
to the President and the Congress.
(c) The President is directed to inform the
Congress promptly of any threat to the security or the social or economic
system of the people on Taiwan and any danger to the interests of the United States arising therefrom. The President and the Congress shall determine, in
accordance with constitutional processes, appropriate action by the United States in response to any such danger.
(a) The absence of diplomatic relations or recognition
shall not affect the application of the laws of the United States with respect
to Taiwan, and the laws of the United States shall apply with respect to Taiwan in the manner that the laws of the United States applied with respect to Taiwan prior to January 1, 1979.
(b) The application of subsection (a) of this section
shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(1) Whenever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or
similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with such
respect to Taiwan.
(2) Whenever authorized by or pursuant to the laws
of the United States to conduct or carry out programs, transactions, or other
relations with respect to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or
similar entities, the President or any agency of the United States Government
is authorized to conduct and carry out, in accordance with section 6 of this
Act, such programs, transactions, and other relations with respect to Taiwan
(including, but not limited to, the performance of services for the United
States through contracts with commercial entities on Taiwan), in accordance
with the applicable laws of the United States.
(3) (A) The absence of diplomatic relations and
recognition with respect to Taiwan shall not abrogate, infringe, modify, deny,
or otherwise affect in any way any rights or obligations (including but not
limited to those involving contracts, debts, or property interests of any kind)
under the laws of the United States heretofore or hereafter acquired by or with
respect to Taiwan.
(B) For all purposes under
the laws of the United States, including actions in any court in the United
States, recognition of the People's Republic of China shall not affect in any
way the ownership of or other rights or interests in properties, tangible and
intangible, and other things of value, owned or held on or prior to December
31, 1978, or thereafter acquired or earned by the governing authorities on
Taiwan.
(4) Whenever the application of the laws of the United States depends upon the law that is or was applicable on Taiwan or compliance
therewith, the law applied by the people on Taiwan shall be considered the applicable
law for that purpose.
(5) Nothing in this Act, nor the facts of the
President's action in extending diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic
of China, the absence of diplomatic relations between the people on Taiwan and
the United States, or the lack of recognition by the United States, and
attendant circumstances thereto, shall be construed in any administrative or
judicial proceeding as a basis for any United States Government agency,
commission, or department to make a finding of fact or determination of law,
under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of
1978, to deny an export license application or to revoke an existing export
license for nuclear exports to Taiwan.
(6) For purposes of the Immigration and Nationality
Act, Taiwan may be treated in the manner specified in the first sentence of
section 202(b) of that Act.
(7) The capacity of Taiwan to sue and be sued in
courts in the United States, in accordance with the laws of the United States,
shall not be abrogated, infringed, modified, denied, or otherwise affected in
any way by the absence of diplomatic relations or recognition.
(8) No requirement, whether expressed or implied,
under the laws of the United States with respect to maintenance of diplomatic
relations or recognition shall be applicable with respect to Taiwan.
(c) For all purposes, including actions in any
court in the United States, the Congress approves the continuation in force of
all treaties and other international agreements, including multilateral
conventions, entered into by the United States and the governing authorities on
Taiwan recognized by the United States as the Republic of China prior to
January 1, 1979, and in force between them on December 31, 1978, unless and
until terminated in accordance with law.
(d) Nothing in this Act may be construed as a basis for
supporting the exclusion or expulsion of Taiwan from continued membership in
any international financial institution or any other international
organization.
(a) During the three-year period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act, the $1,000 per capita income restriction in
insurance, clause (2) of the second undesignated paragraph of section 231 of
the reinsurance, Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall not restrict the
activities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation in determining
whether to provide any insurance, reinsurance, loans, or guaranties with
respect to investment projects on Taiwan.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section,
in issuing insurance, reinsurance, loans, or guaranties with respect to
investment projects on Taiwan, the Overseas Private Insurance Corporation shall
apply the same criteria as those applicable in other parts of the world.
(a) Programs, transactions, and other relations
conducted or carried out by the President or any agency of the United States
Government with respect to Taiwan shall, in the manner and to the extent directed
by the President, be conducted and carried out by or through—
(1) The American Institute in Taiwan, a nonprofit corporation incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, or
(2) such comparable successor nongovernmental
entity as the President may designate, (hereafter in this Act referred to as
the "Institute").
(b) Whenever the President or any agency of the United
States Government is authorized or required by or pursuant to the laws of the
United States to enter into, perform, enforce, or have in force an agreement or
transaction relative to Taiwan, such agreement or transaction shall be entered
into, performed, and enforced, in the manner and to the extent directed by the
President, by or through the Institute.
(c) To the extent that any law, rule, regulation,
or ordinance of the District of Columbia, or of any State or political
subdivision thereof in which the Institute is incorporated or doing business,
impedes or otherwise interferes with the performance of the functions of the
Institute pursuant to this Act; such law, rule, regulation, or ordinance shall
be deemed to be preempted by this Act.
(a) The Institute may authorize any of its
employees on Taiwan—
(1) to administer to or take from any person
an oath, affirmation, affidavit, or deposition, and to perform any notarial act
which any notary public is required or authorized by law to perform within the
United States;
(2) To act as provisional conservator of the
personal estates of deceased United States citizens; and
(3) to assist and protect the interests of United States persons by performing other acts such as are authorized to be performed
outside the United States for consular purposes by such laws of the United States as the President may specify.
(b) Acts performed by authorized employees of the
Institute under this section shall be valid, and of like force and effect
within the United States, as if performed by any other person authorized under
the laws of the United States to perform such acts.
(a) The Institute, its property, and its
income are exempt from all taxation now or hereafter imposed by the United
States (except to the extent that section 11(a)(3) of this Act requires the
imposition of taxes imposed under chapter 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1954, relating to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act) or by State or local
taxing authority of the United States.
(1) For purposes of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1954, the Institute shall be treated as an organization described in
sections 170(b)(1)(A), 170(c), 2055(a), 2106(a)(2)(A), 2522(a), and 2522(b).
(a) Any agency of the United States
Government is authorized to sell, loan, or lease property (including interests
therein) to, and to perform administrative and technical support functions and
services for the operations of, the Institute upon such terms and conditions as
the President may direct. Reimbursements to agencies under this subsection
shall be credited to the current applicable appropriation of the agency
concerned.
(b) Any agency of the United States Government is
authorized to acquire and accept services from the Institute upon such terms
and conditions as the President may direct. Whenever the President determines
it to be in furtherance of the purposes of this Act, the procurement of
services by such agencies from the Institute may be effected without regard to
such laws of the United States normally applicable to the acquisition of
services by such agencies as the President may specify by Executive order.
(c) Any agency of the United States
Government making funds available to the Institute in accordance with this Act
shall make arrangements with the Institute for the Comptroller General of the
United States to have access to the; books and records of the Institute and the
opportunity to audit the operations of the Institute.
(a) Whenever the President or any agency of the United States
Government is authorized or required by or pursuant to the laws of the United
States to render or provide to or to receive or accept from Taiwan, any
performance, communication, assurance, undertaking, or other action, such
action shall, in the manner and to the. extent directed by the President, be
rendered or Provided to, or received or accepted from, an instrumentality
established by Taiwan which the President determines has the necessary
authority under the laws applied by the people on Taiwan to provide assurances
and take other actions on behalf of Taiwan in accordance with this Act.
(b) The President is requested to extend to the
instrumentality established by Taiwan the same number of offices and complement
of personnel as were previously operated in the United States by the governing
authorities on Taiwan recognized as the Republic of China prior to January 1, 1979.
(c) Upon the granting by Taiwan of comparable
privileges and immunities with respect to the Institute and its appropriate
personnel, the President is authorized to extend with respect to the Taiwan instrumentality and its appropriate; personnel, such privileges and immunities
(subject to appropriate conditions and obligations) as may be necessary for the
effective performance of their functions.
(a) (1) Under such terms and conditions as
the President may direct, any agency of the United States Government may
separate from Government service for a specified period any officer or employee
of that agency who accepts employment with the Institute.
(2) An
officer or employee separated by an agency under paragraph (1) of this
subsection for employment with the Institute shall be entitled upon termination
of such employment to reemployment or reinstatement with such agency (or a
successor agency) in an appropriate position with the attendant rights,
privileges, and benefits with the officer or employee would have had or
acquired had he or she not been so separated, subject to such time period and
other conditions as the President may prescribe.
(3) An
officer or employee entitled to reemployment or reinstatement rights under
paragraph (2) of this subsection shall, while continuously employed by the
Institute with no break in continuity of service, continue to participate in
any benefit program in which such officer or employee was participating prior
to employment by the Institute, including programs for compensation for
job-related death, injury, or illness; programs for health and life insurance;
programs for annual, sick, and other statutory leave; and programs for
retirement under any system established by the laws of the United States; except
that employment with the Institute shall be the basis for participation in such
programs only to the extent that employee deductions and employer
contributions, as required, in payment for such participation for the period of
employment with the Institute, are currently deposited in the program's or
system's fund or depository. Death or retirement of any such officer or
employee during approved service with the Institute and prior to reemployment
or reinstatement shall be considered a death in or retirement from Government
service for purposes of any employee or survivor benefits acquired by reason of
service with an agency of the United States Government.
(4) Any officer or
employee of an agency of the United States Government who entered into service
with the Institute on approved leave of absence without pay prior to the
enactment of this Act shall receive the benefits of this section for the period
of such service.
(b) Any agency of the United States Government employing
alien personnel on Taiwan may transfer such personnel, with accrued allowances,
benefits, and rights, to the Institute without a break in service for purposes
of retirement and other benefits, including continued participation in any
system established by the laws of the United States for the retirement of
employees in which the alien was participating prior to the transfer to the
Institute, except that employment with the Institute shall be creditable for
retirement purposes only to the extent that employee deductions and employer contributions,
as required, in payment for such participation for the period of employment
with the Institute, are currently deposited in the system' s fund or
depository.
(c) Employees of the Institute shall not be
employees of the United States and, in representing the Institute, shall be
exempt from section 207 of title 18, United States Code.
(1) For
purposes of sections 911 and 913 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, amounts
paid by the Institute to its employees shall not be treated as earned income. Amounts
received by employees of the Institute shall not be included in gross income,
and shall be exempt from taxation, to the extent that they are equivalent to
amounts received by civilian officers and employees of the Government of the United States as allowances and benefits which are exempt from taxation under section 912
of such Code.
(2) Except to
the extent required by subsection (a)(3) of this section, service performed in
the employ of the Institute shall not constitute employment for purposes of
chapter 21 of such Code and title II of the Social Security Act.
(a) The Secretary of State shall transmit to the
Congress the text of any agreement to which the Institute is a party. However,
any such agreement the immediate public disclosure of which would, in the
opinion of the President, be prejudicial to the national security of the United
States shall not be so transmitted to the Congress but shall be transmitted to
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives under an appropriate injunction of
secrecy to be removed only upon due notice from the President.
(b) For purposes of subsection (a), the term "agreement"
includes—
(1) any agreement entered into between the
Institute and the governing authorities on Taiwan or the instrumentality
established by Taiwan; and
(2) any agreement entered into between the
Institute and an agency of the United States Government.
(c) Agreements and transactions made or to be made
by or through the Institute shall be subject to the same congressional
notification, review, and approval requirements and procedures as if such
agreements and transactions were made by or through the agency of the United
States Government on behalf of which the Institute is acting.
(d) During the two-year period beginning on the effective
date of this Act, the Secretary of State shall transmit to the Speaker of the
House and Senate House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations
of Foreign Relations the Senate, every six months, a report describing and
reviewing economic relations between the United States and Taiwan, noting any
interference with normal commercial relations.
The President is authorized to
prescribe such rules and regulations as he may deem appropriate to carry out
the purposes of this Act. During the three-year period beginning on the
effective date speaker of this Act, such rules and regulations shall be
transmitted promptly to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. Such action shall.not, however,
relieve the Institute of the responsibilities placed upon it by this Act.'
(a) The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and other
appropriate committees of the Congress shall monitor—
(1) the implementation of the provisions of this
Act;
(2) the operation and procedures of the Institute;
(3) the legal and technical aspects of the
continuing relationship between the United States and Taiwan; and
(4) the implementation of the policies of the United States concerning security and cooperation in East Asia.
(b) Such committees shall report, as appropriate, to
their respective Houses on the results of their monitoring.
(1) the term "laws of the United States" includes
any statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, order, or judicial rule of decision
of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; and
(2) the term "Taiwan" includes, as the context may
require, the islands of Taiwan and the Pescadores, the people on those islands,
corporations and other entities and associations created or organized under the
laws applied on those islands, and the governing authorities on Taiwan
recognized by the United States as the Republic of China prior to January 1,
1979, and any successor governing authorities (including political
subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities thereof).
In
addition to funds otherwise available to carry out the provisions of this Act,
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State for the fiscal
year 1980 such funds as may be necessary to carry out such provisions. Such
funds are authorized to remain available until expended.
If any
provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance
is held invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of such provision
to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.
The Nagoya Resolution represents a decision by the IOC Executive Board allowing teams both from Taiwan/the ROC
and China/the PRC to participate in future Olympic Games, with precise specifications
for admissible flag, emblem, and team name. The resolution was published in English and French, but no officially
authorized Chinese version was released. More information concerning the name issue can be found here.
AGREEMENT between the INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, Lausanne
and the CHINESE TAIPEI OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, Taipei
Agreement has been reached on this twenty-third day of March Nineteen Hundred and Eighty One (1981) between
the International Olympic Committee (hereinafter called the IOC) and the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (hereinafter
called the CTOC or the NOC as the case may be) that both parties (hereinafter collectively called “the parties”) agree to settle
their differences on the following understandings terms and conditions:
WHEREAS Understandings by the parties
a) All rules, by-laws, instructions and other regulations governing the Olympic Movement are contained in the Olympic Charter with
the amendments approved by the 82nd IOC Session, as attached to this Agreement (exhibit 1).
b) Rule 24 F. of the Olympic Charter reads as follows: “The flag and the emblem used by an NOC at the Olympic Games shall be submitted to and approved by the IOC Executive Boards.”
c) Rule 30, 1st paragraph of the Olympic Charter reads as follows: “Since only NOCs recognised by the IOC may enter competitors in the Olympic Games, a country without an NOC must form such
a Committee and have it recognised by the IOC before it is permitted to take part in the Olympic Games.”
d) Rule 3 of the Olympic Charter reads as follows: “The Olympic Games take place every four years. They unite Olympic competitors of all countries in fair and equal competition.
“The International Olympic Committee (IOC) shall secure the widest possible audience for the Olympic Games.
“No discrimination in them is allowed against any country or person on grounds of race, religion or politics.”
NOW BOTH PARTIES HEREBY AGREE as follows:
-1-
The name of the NOC shall be CHINESE TAIPEI OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, and is as such hereby approved by the IOC.
-2-
The CTOC hereby submits its flag and emblem as per attached specimens (exhibits 2 and 3) which are hereby approved by the IOC.
-3-
The IOC hereby confirms to the CTOC that the latter is entitled to participate in the future Olympic Games as well as other activities sponsored
by the IOC like every recognised National Olympic Committee, with the same status and the same full rights, in compliance with the Olympic Charter.
-4-
The IOC will assist the CTOC in its application for and/or reinstatement of membership in the various international federations affiliated to the IOC.
The Lausanne Agreement was signed by IOC chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch and CTOT
president Shen Chia-ming 沈家銘 in English. No official Chinese-language version was published.
Chairman Ye Jianying’s Elaborations on Policy Concerning Return of Taiwan To Motherland and Peaceful Unification
Ye Jianying, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, in an interview with a Xinhua correspondent on September 30, 1981, elaborated on the policy concerning the return of Taiwan to the motherland for the realization of China’s peaceful reunification.
The full text of his statement follows:
Today, on the eve of the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and at the approach of the 70th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution, I wish, first of all, to extend my festive greetings and cordial regards to the people of all, to extend my festive greetings and cordial regards to the people of all nationalities throughout the country, including the compatriots in Taiwan, Xianggang (Hong Kong) and Aomen (Macao), and Chinese nationals residing in foreign countries.
On New Year’s Day 1979, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress issued a message to the compatriots in Taiwan, in which it proclaimed the policy of striving to reunify the motherland peacefully. The message received warm support and active response from the people of all nationalities throughout China, including the compatriots in Taiwan, Xianggang and Aomen, and those residing abroad. A relaxed atmosphere has set in across the Taiwan Straits. Now, I would taken this opportunity to elaborate on the policy concerning the return of Taiwan to the motherland for the realization of peaceful reunification:
In order to bring an end to the unfortunate separation of the Chinese nation as early as possible, we propose that talks be held between the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang of China on a reciprocal basis so that the two parties will co-operate for the third time to accomplish the great cause of national reunification. The two sides may first send people to meet for an exhaustive exchange of views.
It is the urgent desire of the people of all nationalities on both sides of the straits to communicate with each other, reunite with their families and relatives, develop trade and increase mutual understanding. We propose that the two sides make arrangements to facilitate the exchange of mails, trade, air and shipping services, family reunions and visits by relatives and tourists as well as academic, cultural and sports exchanges, and reach an agreement there upon.
After the country is reunified, Taiwan can enjoy a high degree of autonomy as a special administrative region and it can retain its armed forces. The Central Government will not interfere with local affairs on Taiwan.
Taiwan’s current socio-economic system will remain unchanged, so will its way of life and its economic and cultural relations with foreign countries. There will be no encroachment on the proprietary rights and lawful right of inheritance over private property, houses, land and enterprises, or on foreign investments.
People in authority and representative personages of various circles in Taiwan may take up posts of leadership in national political bodies and participate in running the state.
When Taiwan’s local finance is in difficulty, the Central Government may subsidize it as is fit for the circumstances.
For people of all nationalities and public figures of various circles in Taiwan who wish to come and settle on the mainland, it is guaranteed that proper arrangements will be made for them, that there will be no discrimination against them, and that they will have the freedom of entry and exit.
Industrialists and businessmen in Taiwan are welcome to invest and engage in various economic undertakings on the mainland, and their legal rights, interests and profits are guaranteed.
The reunification of the motherland is the responsibility of all Chinese. We sincerely welcome people of all nationalities, public figures of all circles and all mass organizations in Taiwan to make proposals and suggestions regarding affairs of state through various channels and in various ways.
Taiwan’s return to the embrace of the motherland and the accomplishment of the great cause of national reunification is a great and glorious mission history has bequeathed on our generation. China’s reunification and prosperity is in the vital interest of the Chinese people of all nationalities-not only those on the mainland, but those in Taiwan as well. It is also in the interest of peace in the Far East and the world.
We hope that our compatriots in Taiwan will give full play to their patriotism and work energetically for the early realization of the great unity of our nation and share the honor of it. We hope that our compatriots in Xianggang and Aomen and Chinese nationals residing abroad will continue to act in the role of a bridge and contribute their share to the reunification of the motherland.
We hope that the Kuomintang authorities will stick to their one-China position and their opposition to “two Chinas” and that they will put national interests above everything else, forget previous will and join hands with us in accomplishing the great cause of national reunification and the great goal of making China prosperous and strong, so as to win glory for our ancestors, being benefit to our posterity and write a new and glorious page in the history of the Chinese nation!
(Xinhua News Agency, September 30, 1981, Beijing)
Source: Beijing Review 1981, No. 40
(October 5 edition), p. 10-11; retrieved from Taiwan Info
Ye Jianying 葉劍英 (1897-1986) was a Communist military leader and between March 1978 and June 1983 chairman
of the standing committee of the National People's Congress (quanguo renmin daibiao dahui changwu weiyuanhui weiyuanzhang
全國人民代表大會常務委員會委員長), i. e. at the time the PRC's head of state—a ceremonial position but less powerful than the post
of chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission (zhonggong zhongyang junshi weiyuanhui
中共中央軍事委員會, abbrev. CCP CMC).
The formal term of Ye Jianying’s “Nine-Point Policy” is “Nine Principles for the Peaceful Reunification with Taiwan”
(youguan heping tongyi Taiwan de jiutiao fangzhen zhengce 有關和平統一台灣的九條方針政策, abbrev. Ye jiutiao
葉九條), in English it is also often referred to as “Ye’s Nine Principles” or “Nine-Article Statement”. On Jan. 11, 1982
Deng Xiaoping revealed to foreign guests that Ye’s Nine-Point Policy actually means “One
Country, Two Systems” (yiguo liangzhi 一國兩制, abbrev. 1C2S) and would also apply to the issue of Hong Kong. In this context Deng on June 26, 1983 explained his “Six Conceptions
for the Peaceful Reunification” (guanyu shixian Taiwan han zuguo dalu heping tongyide liutiao gouxiang
關於實現台灣和祖國大陸和平統一的六條構想, abbrev. Deng liutiao 鄧六條) which are shown further below.
A separate PDF file (102 pages in A4 format, file size 3.2 MB) showing above text plus selected other statements,
declarations, treaties, laws, and communiqués written or co-authored by high-ranking representatives of the PRC pertaining
to the relations with Taiwan can be found here. To view another PDF
file—69 A4 pages, 3.2 MB—showing the full text of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by SEF and ARATS representatives in June 2010
please click here.
On July 14,
1982, James Lilley, at the time director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the US's nominally
unofficial representative body in Taiwan, called on ROC President Chiang Ching-kuo 蔣經國. In US President Ronald Reagan's name, Lilley
delivered orally—not in writing—six assurances regarding US policy toward Taiwan. Lilley explained:
The United States...
had not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to the Republic of China;
had not agreed to hold prior consultations with the PRC regarding arms sales to the Republic of China;
would not play a mediation role between the PRC and the Republic of China;
In the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations on January 1, 1979, issued by
the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United States of America, the United States
of America recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China, and it
acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. Within that context, the two
sides agreed that the people of the United States would continue to maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial
relations with the people of Taiwan. On this basis, relations between China and the United States were normalized.
The question of United States arms sales to Taiwan was not settled in the course of negotiations between the two
countries on establishing diplomatic relations. The two sides held differing positions, and the Chinese side stated that it
would raise the issue again following normalization. Recognizing that this issue would seriously hamper the development of
China-United States relations, they have held further discussions on it, during and since the meetings between Premier
Zhao Ziyang and President Ronald Reagan and between Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Huang Hua and Secretary of State
Alexander M. Haig, Jr. in October 1981.
Respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other's internal
affairs constitute the fundamental principles guiding China-United States relations. These principles were confirmed in
the Shanghai Communiqué of February 28, 1972 and reaffirmed in the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of
Diplomatic Relations which came into effect on January 1, 1979. Both sides emphatically state that these principles continue
to govern all aspects of their relations.
The Chinese Government reiterates that the question of Taiwan is China's internal affair. The Message to Compatriots
in Taiwan issued By China on January 1, 1979 promulgated a fundamental policy of striving for peaceful reunification of the
motherland. The Nine-Point Proposal put forward by China on September 30, 1981 represented a further major effort under this
fundamental policy to strive for a peaceful solution to the Taiwan question.
The United States Government attaches great importance to its relations with China, and reiterates that it has no
intention of infringing on Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity, or interfering in China's internal affairs, or pursuing
a policy of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." The United States Government understands and appreciates the Chinese policy
of striving for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question as indicated in China's Message to Compatriots in Taiwan issued on
January 1, 1979 and the Nine-Point Proposal put forward by China on September 30, 1981. The new situation which has emerged with
regard to the Taiwan question also provides favourable conditions for the settlement of China-United States differences over
United States arms sales to Taiwan.
Having in mind the foregoing statements of both sides, the United States Government states that it does not seek to carry out
a long-term policy of arms sales to Taiwan, that its arms sales to Taiwan will not exceed, either in qualitative or in quantitative
terms, the level of those supplied in recent years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States,
and that it intends gradually to reduce its sale of arms to Taiwan, leading, over a period of time, to a final resolution. In so stating,
the United States acknowledges China's consistent position regarding the thorough settlement of this issue.
In order to bring about, over a period of time, a final settlement of the question of United States arms sales to Taiwan, which
is an issue rooted in history, the two Governments will make every effort to adopt measures and create conditions conducive to the through
settlement of this issue.
The development of United States–China relations is not only in the interests of the two peoples but also conducive to peace
and stability in the world. The two sides are determined, on the principle of equality and mutual benefit, to strengthen their ties in
the economic, cultural, educational, scientific, technological and other fields and make strong, joint efforts for the continued
development of relations between the Governments and peoples of the United States and China.
In order to bring about the healthy development of United States–China relations, maintain world peace and oppose aggression
and expansion, the two Governments reaffirm the principles agreed on by the two sides in the Shanghai Communique and the Joint Communique
on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. The two sides will maintain contact and hold appropriate consultations on bilateral and
international issues of common interest.
A separate PDF file (102 pages in A4 format, file size 3.2 MB) showing above text plus selected other statements,
declarations, treaties, laws, and communiqués written or co-authored by high-ranking representatives of the PRC pertaining
to the relations with Taiwan can be found here. To view another PDF
file—69 A4 pages, 3.2 MB—showing the full text of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by SEF and ARATS representatives in June 2010
please click here.
1. An island is a naturally formed area of land, surrounded by water, which is above water at high tide.
2. Except as provided for in paragraph 3, the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone and the continental
shelf of an island are determined in accordance with the provisions of this Convention applicable to other land territory.
3. Rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no EEZ or continental shelf.
Meeting with Professor Yang Liyu
from Seton Hall University of the US on June 26, 1983, Deng Xiaoping elaborated the concept of “One Country, Two Systems”.
The core of the Taiwan question is the Taiwan question is the reunification has become the common aspiration of both the Communist Party and the Kuomintang and thus has constituted the ground for the third cooperation between the two parties.
While maintaining the one-China policy, the two sides can adopt different systems, but the People’s Republic of China should be the sole representative of China in the international community.
Taiwan’s “absolute autonomy” is not allowed. The “absolute autonomy” actually means two Chinas. There should be some restrictions on autonomy, and the bottom line is that the interest of a unified state must not be harmed.
After reunification, as a special administrative region, Taiwan can adopts systems different from those on the mainland and enjoys privileges, which other provinces and autonomous regions may not share. The region can have the powers of a legislature, judiciary and final adjudication. The region can also have its own army as long as it poses no threat to the mainland. The central government will not send officials. Affairs pertaining to Taiwan’s political parties, government and army shall be managed by Taiwan itself, while the central government will reserve some positions for Taiwan.
Peaceful reunification does not mean the mainland will swallow Taiwan, or vice versa. To reunify China with the “Three People’s Principles” is not practical.
The proper way for peaceful reunification is to hold negotiations between the Communist Party and the Kuomintang on an equal footing. After the two sides reach an agreement, an official announcement can be made. Foreign powers cannot be allowed to interfere with this affair, because it would otherwise mean China has not achieved independence and would only give use to endless future troubles.
Most Chinese sources have omitted the precise numbering which in this version was derived from the
website of the PRC embassy in Japan
but does not exactly correspond with the numbering shown in the
official English version.
A separate PDF file (102 pages in A4 format, file size 3.2 MB) showing above text plus selected other statements,
declarations, treaties, laws, and communiqués written or co-authored by high-ranking representatives of the PRC pertaining
to the relations with Taiwan can be found here. To view another PDF
file—69 A4 pages, 3.2 MB—showing the full text of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by SEF and ARATS representatives in June 2010
please click here.
Adopted by the Legislative Yuan on June 23, 1987, promulgated by the President on July 1, 1987, effective as of July 15, 1987.
(Note: This is a translation from the Chinese text of the law. In case of any discrepancy between the Chinese and English texts, the Chinese text shall govern.)
Article 1
The present law is hereby enacted to safeguard national security and maintain social stability during the period of national mobilization for suppression of the Communist rebellion.
Matters for which the present law does not provide shall be governed by other relevant laws.
Article 2
No person may violate the Constitution or advocate Communism or the division of national territory in the exercise of the people’s freedom of assembly and association.
The assembly and association stated in the preceding paragraph shall be governed by laws to be enacted separately.
Article 3
For entry into and exit from the Taiwan Region1, all persons shall apply for permission from the Entry and Exit Service Bureau of the National Police Administration, Ministry of the Interior. A person without permission may not enter into or depart from the Taiwan Region.
Applications for entry or exit permission may be denied if the applicants:
(1) have been sentenced under a final criminal judgment to punishments of imprisonment or greater but have not served or completed the term of sentence, or have been wanted by the judicial authorities, or have been otherwise denied exit permission by the civilian or military judicial authorities; or
(2) have been strongly suspected, on the bases of sufficient factual evidence, to be grave security risks to national security or social stability; or
(3) have been denied entry or exit permission pursuant to other laws.
Applicants denied such permission shall be notified in writing with reasons for denial and with directions appended regarding remedial procedures.
The Ministry of the Interior shall organize a review committee compsed of, inter alia, generally recognized impartial personages to review cases of denial decided pursuant to subparagraph (2), paragraph 2 of the present Article.
Article 4
The police authorities may, when necessary, conduct searches and inspection on the following persons, goods, and transports:
(1) entry and exit passengers and their belongings;
(2) entry and exit vessels, aircraft and other transports;
(3) inland vessels, rafts, aircraft and the passengers and cargo aboard;
(4) sailors, flight crews, fishermen, and other working members of the transports stated in the preceding two subparagraphs, and their belongings.
Article 5
To safeguard coastal defenses, military installations and mountain areas, the Ministry of National Defense may, in consultation with the Ministry of the Interior, designate and declare certain sea coasts, mountain areas or important military facilities as restricted zones.
All persons desiring entry into and exit from the restricted zones stated in the preceding paragraph shall apply for permission from the authorities in charge.
Within these restriced zones stated in paragraph 1, construction may be restricted or prohibited as required by military considerations; the scope of which shall be determined jointly Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of the Interior, and other related agencies.
Taxes and other levies on the land on which construction is restricted or prohibited shall be reduced or exempted.
Article 6
A person who violated paragraph 1 of Article 3 by entering into or departing from the Taiwan Region without permission shall be punished with imprisonment of not more than three years, detention, and/or a fine of not more than 30,000 yuan.
A person who without justifiable reason refuses or evades searches or inspections conducted pursuant to Article 4 shall be punished with imprisonment for not more than six months, detention, and/or a fine of not more than 5,000 yuan.
Article 7
A person who without reason violates paragraph 2 of Article 5 by entering into or departing from the restricted zones without applying for permission and refuses to leave after having been notified to do so shall be punished with imprisonment for not more than six months, detention, and/or a fine of not more than 5,000 yuan.
A person who without reason violates paragraph 3 of Article 5 concerning prohibited or restricted construction and refuses to comply with instructions to cease construction shall be punished with imprisonment for not more than six months, detention, and/or a fine of not more than 5,000 yuan.
Article 8
Except for military personnel in active military service, no civilian shall be subjected to military trial.
All military personnel in active military service who have committed a criminal offense shall be prosecuted and tried by military judicial authorities unless the criminal offense committed is not provided for under the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces or other special enactments thereof but is provided for under Article 61 of the Criminal Code.
Article 9
Criminal cases regarding civilians who, having been tried or being tried by military courts in areas in which the Chieh-yen2 (Emergency) Decree had been in effect, shall be dealt with according to the following provisions after the termination of the Chieh-yen (Emergency) Decree:
(1) Where military trial proceedings have not been completed, cases undergoing investigation shall be transferred to competent (civilian) public prosecutor for investigation; cases pending trial shall be transferred to a competent (civilian) court for trial.
(2) Where criminal judgments have become final, appeal or interlocutory appeal to a competent (civilian) court shall not be allowed; however, where grounds for retrial or extraordinary appeal exist, applications for retrial or extraordinary appeal may be made pursuant to the law.
(3) Where final criminal judgments have not yet been executed, or are being executed, they shall be transferred to a competent (civilian) public prosecutor for execution under his direction.
Article 10
The enforcement regulations of the present law and the date of its coming into force shall be made and determined respectively by the Executive Yuan.
Translator’s notes:
1. The term “Taiwan Region” refers to Taiwan, the Pescadores, Kinmen (Quemoy), Matsu and other territories currently under the effective control of the Republic of China government.
2. The term “Chieh-yen” is generally but inadequately translated as “martial law”. Under the Republic of China’s legal system, which is continental-European in origin, the Chieh-yen Law and the Chieh-yen Decree are two different matters. The former does not apply unless and until activated by the president’s issuance of the latter. When the Chieh-yen Decree is lifted, the Chieh-yen Law remains on the books but becomes inoperative.
When the National Security Law During the Period of National Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion
(dongyuan kanluan shiqi guojia anquanfa 動員戡亂時期國家安全法) was promulgated on July 1, 1987, martial law was still
in force in Taiwan. The name of the law was changed to National Security Act (guojia anquanfa 國家安全法) by ROC President Lee
Teng-hui on July 29, 1992. Its legislative history is as follows:
Enacted and Promulgated by President Order Hua-Tsung (1)-Yi-Tzu No. 2360 on July 1, 1987.
Amended and promulgated by President Order Hua-Tsung (1)-Yi-Tzu No. 3667 on July 29, 1992.
Amended and promulgated by President Order Hua-Tsung (1)-Yi-Tzu No. 8500027120 on Feb. 5, 1996.
Amended and promulgated by President Order Hua-Tsung (1)-Yi-Tzu No. 10000259741 on Nov. 23, 2011.
Amended and promulgated by President Order Hua-Tsung (1)-Yi-Tzu No. 10200156111 on Aug. 21, 2013.
Amended on July 3, 2009.
Amended on June 8, 2022.
The source for the English text is the Republic of China Yearbook 1989, p. 724-725.
Adopted by the National Unification Council at its third meeting on February 23, 1991, and by
the Executive Yuan Council at its 2223rd meeting on March 14, 1991.
I. Foreword
The unification of China is meant to bring about a strong and prosperous nation with a long-lasting, bright future for its people;
it is the common wish of Chinese people at home and abroad. After an appropriate period of forthright exchange, cooperation and
consultation conducted under the principles of reason, peace, parity, and reciprocity, the two sides of the Taiwan Straits should foster
a consensus of democracy, freedom, and equal prosperity and together build anew a unified China. Based on this understanding,
these Guidelines have been specially formulated with the express hope that all Chinese throughout the world will work with one mind
toward their fulfillment.
II. Goal
To establish a democratic, free and equitably prosperous China.
III. Principles
Both the mainland and Taiwan areas are parts of Chinese territory. Helping to bring about national unification should be the common
responsibility of all Chinese people. The unification of China should be for the welfare of all its people and not be subject to partisan conflict.
China's unification should aim at promoting Chinese culture, safeguarding human dignity, guaranteeing fundamental human rights, and
practicing democracy and the rule of law. The timing and manner of China's unification should first respect the rights and interests of the
people in the Taiwan area, and protect their security and welfare. It should be achieved in gradual phases under the principles of reason,
peace, parity, and reciprocity.
IV. Process
1. Short term, a phase of exchanges and reciprocity.
(1) To enhance understanding through exchanges between the two sides of the Strait and eliminate hostility through reciprocity; and
to establish a mutually benign relationship by not endangering each other's security and stability while in the midst of exchanges and not
denying the other's existence as a political entity while in the midst of effecting reciprocity.
(2) To set up an order for exchanges across the Strait, to draw up regulations for such exchanges, and to establish intermediary
organizations so as to protect people's rights and interests on both sides of the Strait; to gradually ease various restrictions and expand
people-to-people contacts so as to promote the social prosperity of both sides.
(3) In order to improve the people's welfare on both sides of the Strait with the ultimate objective of unifying the nation, in the mainland
area economic reform should be carried out forthrightly, the expression of public opinion there should be gradually allowed, and both democracy
and the rule of law should be implemented while in the Taiwan area efforts should be made to accelerate constitutional reform and promote
national development to establish a society of equitable prosperity.
(4) The two sides of the Strait should end the state of hostility and, under the principle of one China solve all disputes through peaceful
means, and furthermore respect, not reject, each other in the international community, so as to move toward a phase of mutual trust and
cooperation.
2. Medium term, a phase of mutual trust and cooperation.
(1) Both sides of the Strait should establish official communication channels on equal footing.
(2) Direct postal, transport and commercial links should be allowed and both sides should jointly develop the southeastern coastal area
of the Chinese mainland and then gradually extend this development to other areas of the mainland in order to narrow the gap in living standards
between the two sides.
(3) Both sides of the Strait should work together and assist each other in taking part in international organizations and activities.
(4) Mutual visits by high-ranking officials on both sides should be promoted to create favourable conditions for consultation and unification.
3. Long term, a phase of consultation and unification
A consultative organization for unification should be established through which both sides, in accordance with the will of the people in both
the mainland and Taiwan areas, and while adhering to the goals of democracy, economic freedom, social justice and nationalization of the
armed forces, jointly discuss the grand task of unification and map out a constitutional system to establish a democratic, free, and equitably
prosperous China.
"An investigative study conducted by the Executive Yuan into the February 28 Incident, an incident that no one had dared mention before the end of martial law and that had caused social unease in Taiwan, was to be used by the government as a reference in the settlement of the aftermath of the February 28 Incident." Therefore, in January 1991, the "February 28 Incident Research Group" was established with eight members, Chen Chung-Kuang, Yeh Ming-hsun, Li Yunhan, Chih Ching-Teh, Chang Yu-fa, Marvin Ho, Chen San-ching and Lai Jeh-hang, and with Chen Chung-Kuang and Yeh Ming-hsun as conveners and Lai Jeh-hang as chief writer. Apart from Lai Jeh-hang, the group also invited four other professors, Huang Fu-san, Wu Wenxing, Huang Xiuzheng, and Hsu Hsueh-chi, to join the writers panel. Chen Mei-fei, Chien Jung-tsung and Fang Huifang were part-time researchers, respectively assisting Huang Fu-san, Huang Xiuzheng and Yeh Ming-hsun, the so called "Working Team."
"The above-mentioned authors conducted archive and literature research and oral history recording in accordance with their academic conscience and non-partisan positions." Although the research period was only one year, they were able to gain access to first hand materials from the government and to interview hundreds of witnesses before systematically and objectively analyzing the incident in its entirety.
"When it came to the collection of material, in addition to sourcing from the existing archives of the Taiwanese government, researchers also went to China and other countries to collect relevant data of high value, including documents concerning the February 28 Incident donated by George H. Kerr to Stanford University's Hoover Institution Library and Archives, Tamsui Consulate documents provided by the Public Record Office of the United Kingdom, documents provided by the Second Historical Archives of China in Nanjing, etc. The material obtained by the research team can be counted as some of the richest among all overseas and domestic research programs in relation to this topic.
"After the publication of the February 28 Incident investigation report on February 22, 1992, it was generally accepted by the public in spite of disagreements over some details." Referring to further information, the authors edited and supplemented the original report and had it published by China Times Publishing Co. on February 20, 1994. This was how "Research Report on the February 28 Incident" came into being.
There is no doubt that "Research Report on the February 28 Incident" is the primary source that people should refer to if they wish to understand this incident. However, a total of 504 pages can be quite burdensome for members of our busy modern society. The "Conclusion" chapter of the report, which spans from page 405 to page 412, provides a brief description and review of the February 28 Incident, allowing readers to understand the cause, progression and aftermath of the incident. Therefore, the Memorial Foundation of 228 especially chose this chapter as the core of this article, which is divided into eight sections and supplemented with footnotes to strengthen the clarity of the main text. Footnotes are all quoted from the "Research Report" except where specified otherwise. It is expected that readers of this article can gain a comprehensive idea of the February 28 Incident within an hour. Of course, if you wish to understand the entire incident in more detail, you should refer to the original report.
The February 28 Massacre (Footnote 1) took place less than a year and a half after the end of the Second World War (Footnote 2). The background of the incident is extremely complicated and cannot be explained in terms of only one factor. First of all, fifty years of Japanese colonial rule led to a general lack of understanding of both the political system and societal circumstances of China. Therefore, disillusionment with the new regime became apparent before the end of 1945 (Footnote 3). Secondly, on the political front, the system of the Chief Executive's Office (Footnote 4) was beset with many defects and problems, including the corrupt and ineffective behaviors of government officials (Footnote 5) and soldiers (Footnote 6), unfair distribution of political resources (Footnote 7), etc. On the economic front, improper policies for controlling the economy (Footnote 8) resulted in an industrial slump (Footnote 9), hyperinflation (Footnote 10) and severe unemployment. On the societal front, Taiwanese veterans who served in the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy (Footnote 11) could find hardly any employment opportunities after returning from the battlefields and ended up destitute, which resulted in the gradual formation of an undercurrent of anti-government sentiment. In addition, the obstinate personality of Chief Executive Chen Yi (Footnote 12) made it impossible for him to understand the feelings of the Taiwanese people, which resulted in the deterioration of the relationship between the government and the people. The above-mentioned factors contributed to a premonition of an imminent crisis among people of insight (Footnote 13) well before the Chief Executive's Office became aware of it (Footnote 14).
The time frame of "Research Report on the February 28 Incident" spans from February 27, 1947, when the conflict around contraband tobacco occurred, to May 16, when the "village purging" ended. [Foreword]
Due to the long-time censoring of information, Taiwanese people who lived under Japanese colonial rule did not know much about their Ancestral Country. Because of this, Taiwanese people tended to compare the governance of the Chinese Nationalist government, which extended its rule to Taiwan after the Second World War, with the Japanese colonial government, especially when it came to military, political, economic and societal aspects. Seeing the stark contrast between the two regimes, Taiwanese people started to feel that newcomers from their Ancestral Country were worse than the Japanese and feelings of contempt and disdain were thus rooted in their minds. In addition, the schism between Taiwanese locals and people from different provinces of China was further widened because some people from the Chinese mainland cajoled Taiwanese women into fake marriages, and the lifestyles, values and ethics of the newcomers conflicted with those of the locals due to incompatible social backgrounds and a lack of modern knowledge. Taiwanese people's expectations of this regime that came from their Ancestral Country were too high, and their general disappointment was soon followed by widespread contempt. (Page 27)
According to the Taiwan Province Chief Executive's Office Organization Act, the Chief Executive's Office was entrusted by the Central Government to manage its administrative affairs. The Chief Executive had the power to mandate and supervise departments of the Central Government in Taiwan and to issue office orders and separate regulations within the scope of his responsibilities. At the same time, he also assumed post of commander-in-chief of the Taiwan Garrison Command. It can be seen that the Chief Executive's Office system was a form of centralized leadership which placed the judicial, legislative, military, and administrative powers of Taiwan province in the Chief Executive himself. The Chief Executive was appointed by the Central Government, which was different to the directorial system used in other Chinese provinces. The implementation of the directorial system in all provincial governments meant that the members of directorial boards and chairmen were all senior ranking officials; while all the people working for the departments of the Taiwan Province Executive's Office (such as Departments of Secretariat, Civil Affairs, Education, Finance, Agriculture, Forestry, Industry and Mining, Transportation, Police and Accounting) and secretary-generals were all contracted staff members of the Chief Executive himself. In addition, an organic law committee, propaganda committee and assessment and design committee were also set up in Taiwan. The system of banking and currency was also different to China. Chen Yi believed that the Taiwan dollar and Taiwanese financial institutions should maintain their own original systems and the current legal tender of China should be prevented from circulating in Taiwan, so that "Taiwan could avoid the consequences of hyperinflation which was out of control in the Chinese mainland provinces caused by the over-issuing of the legal tender." Therefore, Chen Yi proposed that "the priority was to maintain stability by issuing an independent New Taiwan dollar so that prosperity could be achieved in Taiwan without being affected by the serious depreciation of legal tender used on the mainland." Before Chen Yi came to Taiwan, his proposal was approved by President Chiang Kai-shek, who later personally instructed Soong Tse-ven to implement Chen Yi's idea. Because of this, four banks and two financial entities (Central Bank, Bank of China, Bank of Communications, Farmers Bank, Central Trust of China and General Post Office) that originally intended to set up branches in Taiwan were not allowed to do so. The Ministry of Finance also issued Regulations Concerning the Currency Exchange Between Taiwan and the Mainland, which stipulated that "no banks except the Central Bank and those that are endorsed by the government are allowed to undertake currency exchanges between the Taiwan dollar and the legal tender of China." (Page 6) Many Taiwanese people believed that the financial arrangement of the Nationalist government treated them as if they were being colonized, and they felt discontented with the government. (Page 4)
Government officials not only did not serve the citizens on weekdays, but also put on official airs or acted irresponsibly and inattentively when they were approached. These drawbacks dramatically contrasted the diligence and efficiency of officials from the Japanese colonial period. (Page 20) A lack of political efficiency and an overly bureaucratic manner were things that Taiwanese people had not experienced during the Japanese colonial period. Within one year and a half, it became evident that the Taiwan Province Executive's Office was outperformed greatly by its Japanese predecessor. Newspapers often reported that government officials were involved in scandals like going to bars, lack of discipline and corruption. For example, on February 22, 1947, Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News published an editorial opinion piece "On the Problem of Corruption," which not only disclosed a stunning number of corruption cases, but also pointed out the fact that many government officials frequently attended ballrooms, tea houses, restaurants and casinos in the cities, showing that there were too many unnecessary employees in the government, as well as the fact that people's impression of government officials was very poor. Corruption cases were not limited to general officials. Prosecutors, court presidents, and even teachers were found to be corrupt. Soldiers not abiding by the law or not paying when shopping or traveling was very common, and there was even public looting. Many of these corruption cases exceeded 10 million Taiwan dollars in amount. (Page 21)
The troops stationed in Taiwan had a poor reputation. Soldiers often "forcibly borrowed money, raped women, and shot and wounded people. It was not uncommon to see soldiers buying five-dollar eggs with only one dollar. Disputes in the markets were commonplace." Robbery and theft were also commonly seen. (Page 23)
During the Japanese colonial period, it was difficult for Taiwanese people to gain fair political treatment for administrative, professional and technological advancement. After the Second World War, many Taiwanese people harbored the fantasy of an autonomous Taiwan and believed they should be able to self-rule from then on. To the contrary, among 18 directors and deputy directors from nine important departments of the Taiwan Province Executive's Office, only one deputy director was from Taiwan. Among 17 mayors of cities and counties, only Taipei Mayor You Mijian, Hsinchu County Mayor Liu Qiguang, Kaohsiung Mayor Huang Zhongtu (formerly Lian Mou), and Kaohsiung County Mayor Xie Dongyu (formerly Huang Daping at the time of the February 28 Incident) were Taiwanese, but they were all Puànn-suann-á, meaning officials of Taiwanese heritage who had returned from Chongqing, the former capital of the Chinese Nationalist government, and were not welcome by Taiwanese locals. What made Taiwanese people even more upset was the treatment of "unequal pay for the same work" and the difficulty associated with becoming employed by the government or public institutions. (Page 19)
Foreign trade is extremely important to the economy of an island region. If an island region does not rely on foreign trade, it must have a considerable amount of resources. Because Taiwan was not considered to be resource-rich, it still needed to trade with the world. However, Chen Yi did not seem to understand the situation. After he arrived in Taiwan, he began to implement a controlled economy... Although he knew that this would invoke opposition from businesspeople, Chen Yi believed that this economic policy was for the benefit of the public, not for private interests.
"What Chen Yi wanted to pursue was not to fatten the pockets of a few people but to gradually deal with the livelihood issues facing Taiwanese people in terms of food, clothes, and amenities." Chen Yi's attitude showed his longing for socialist ideas, which, coupled with his obstinate and stubborn character, resulted in considerable criticism and condemnation of his economic policies. This became one of the catalysts triggering the February 28 Incident. (Page 7)
Because of the uniqueness of Taiwan's administrative arrangement, the Taiwan Province Executive's Office did not welcome influences from outside the island. This mentality was evident in the rejection of Chinese banks seeking to operate in Taiwan, including the above-mentioned "four banks and two financial entities" and other private banks, which "brought a halt to the operation of any private trade enterprises except the ones run by government officials and police." This situation also caused the government banks on the Chinese mainland to use "the currency exchange problem" as an excuse to adopt a blockade policy in retaliation against Taiwan, which made Taiwan become self-isolated. As a result, ferry and air tickets were not allowed to be sold, Taiwanese customs lost tax revenue, and ships were not permitted to leave ports, impeding the transportation of goods to the outside world. In addition, the controlled economy policy implemented by the Taiwan Province Executive's Office, which in reality amounted to the dominance of the government in trade business and an unpredictable exchange rate, demotivated businesspeople. Because of this, shipping and selling goods in Taiwan became difficult, which resulted in a self-isolated situation in which foreign goods could not reach Taiwan and Taiwanese goods could not ship overseas. (Page 25)
On January 10, 1946, a Taiwanese compatriot petitioned the Executive Yuan that "the Central Government should abolish government-run trade enterprises and any other similar intermediary institutions that compromised the free market and revoke all types of military laws to lighten the load on the people." This showed that the people were dissatisfied with Chen Yi's policy of a controlled economy. (Page 22)
(Chen Yi) not only set up the Monopoly Bureau to continue the monopoly system that the Japanese colonial government had implemented in Taiwan, but also controlled the Trade Bureau that managed transportation to and from Taiwan. His regime monopolized almost every aspect of the island's trade and industries, hindering the development of private enterprises and causing discontent and disillusion among locals. Therefore, these two institutions became the target that reform-minded people sought to abolish during the February 28 Incident. (Page 26)
The economic crisis in Taiwan was mainly caused by inflation and soaring prices, especially food prices. Taiwan was originally known for its production of rice. During the Japanese colonial period, crop production dropped dramatically "due to the war…" Soon after the Chinese Nationalist government extended its rule to Taiwan in 1946…Taiwan experienced a serious food shortage that was evident in the rocketing price of rice, such that some people at the time believed that the price level in Taiwan was higher than that in any province of China. Famine broke out in many places, and social unrest even occurred in rice production areas, such as in Taichung and Tainan. More and more people lost their jobs over time. Daylight robbery and burglary were everywhere. (Page 23)
From October 1945 to December 1946, Taiwan's price level had inflated more than a hundredfold. The problem of food prices was particularly serious. (Page 25)
600 grams of rice originally sold for only 1.5 Taiwan dollars. However, in early 1946, the price for this much rice had already risen to more than 10 Taiwan dollars. On February, 1947, the price reached 32 Taiwan dollars per 600 grams. This was not something that Taiwanese people had experienced before, so they were particularly angry about the food price crisis. (Page 8)
Surrounded by immoral staff, Chen Yi trusted his subordinates too much and was too permissive with them. Chiang Wei-chuan, the then chairman of the Taipei Chamber of Commerce, once criticized Chen Yi in person, saying that he resided in the deep end of the palace surrounded by corrupt officialdom and a few opportunists who claimed to be the bridge between the government and the people but who knew nothing about society or the people, resulting in a situation where public opinions were blocked from reaching him. (Page 12)
Less than three months after Taiwan fell under the rule of the Chinese Nationalist government, many Taiwanese people were already criticizing Chen Yi for his inappropriate approach in Taiwan. In early 1946, the situation in Taiwan had deteriorated dramatically, causing concerns in China and the West. Mintai News Agency urged the government to pay more attention to the problems in Taiwan. Millard's Review from Shanghai published the article "Taiwan moving 50 years backward," saying that "in five months Taiwan would become the ‘Ireland' of China." In early 1946, a report presented by the U.S. Consulate in Taiwan to the U.S. ambassador to China and the U.S. Department of State, wrote, "Taiwan is already on the verge of an armed rebellion." By early 1947, many acute observers had already realized the graveness of the situation. For example, the Taiwan correspondent of a Shanghai magazine The Observers predicted on February 2, 1947, just before the February 28 Incident: "Taiwan is in the middle of a crisis. The situation is precarious. At any time, disturbance or rebellion could occur here." It was clear that many people in China and the West had already seen that Taiwan was on the brink of social upheaval. (Page 10)
In the aspects of politics and the economy, Taiwanese people were greatly disappointed by the government. Nonetheless, Chen Yi, who sought to gloss over the domestic problems in Taiwan, still managed to send the government army stationed on the island to the Chinese mainland to crack down on communist activities, which left Taiwan in a militarily vulnerable position. Because of this, radicals were made to believe that they could definitely overturn Chen Yi's regime and fearlessly encouraged ordinary people to rebel against the government. (Page 25)
The February 28 Massacre resulted from the misconduct of contraband investigators and police and military police authorities in regards to contraband tobacco confiscation (Footnote 15), which gave rise to mass petition and protest and strike actions from laborers and shopkeepers in Taipei on February 28 (Footnote 16). An incident in which guards shot at protesters at the headquarters of the Taiwan Province Executive's Office the same day (Footnote 17) meant the unrest was further exacerbated and became unstoppable. The petition for punishing the perpetrators was turned into a fight against the Taiwan Province Executive's Office (Footnote 18). Conflict between Taiwanese locals and people from other Chinese provinces was thus provoked (Footnote 19). Resistance and conflict spread throughout the whole island in no time, transforming an originally quite simple public security incident into a political movement. Local leaders took advantage of this opportunity to demand total reform. Military conflicts broke out in some areas after insurgents took control of weapons that belonged to the military and police (Footnote 20).
The February 28 Massacre was triggered by an accident regarding contraband tobacco confiscation near Chien-Cheng Circle. An outline of what happened in the incident is as follows. At about 11 a.m. on February 27, 1947, the Monopoly Bureau received an intelligence that around 50 boxes of matches and tobacco had been smuggled in through Tamsui Port. Later, six contraband investigators, Yeh Te-ken, Chung Yen-chou, Chao Tzu-chien, Liu Chao-chun, Sheng Tie-fu and Fu Hsueh-tung, along with four policemen from the local police squad, were sent by the bureau to Tamsui, where they only confiscated five boxes of smuggled goods. Soon after, another intelligence showed that the rest of the smuggled goods had been shipped to somewhere near Tianma Tea House, situated on Taipei's Nanjing West Road (formerly known as Taiheicho, on the current Yanping North Road). This area was renowned for being the largest destination of contraband. The investigators and policemen first went to Hsiao Hsiang Yuan (which was near Taiheicho) for dinner, so that they could proceed with their investigation nearby. At 7:30 p.m., they arrived at Tianma Tea House to discover that the contraband sellers had already left, except for Lin Chiang-mai, a 40-year-old widow who was selling both legal and smuggled cigarettes, which were soon confiscated along with the cash she had. Lin Chiang-mai practically knelt down to beg the investigators and said: "If you confiscate all my belongings, I will have no money to buy food. You should at least return my cash money and the cigarettes produced by the Monopoly Bureau to me…." However, the investigators ignored her request. At the time, there was a crowd of bystanders, many of whom also started to implore the investigators on her behalf. All of a sudden, Lin Chiang-mai frantically grasped at one of the investigators, not letting him go. Seeing this, another investigator, Yeh Te-ken, hit her head with the barrel of his gun, making her head bleed profusely. Witnessing the violent scene, the crowd of bystanders burst into anger and surrounded the investigators, passionately shouting, "A-suann (a derogatory name for Chinese Mainlanders) are too unreasonable," "These pigs are monstrous" and "Return the cigarettes." As soon as the investigators realized they had got themselves into trouble, they tried to escape from the crowd chasing close behind. One investigator called Fu Hsueh-tung pulled his trigger in an attempt to escape, but he accidentally shot Chen Wen-si, a fellow citizen who had been watching the incident in front of his house, who died the next day. Investigators escaped to Eirakuchō (Xinin) Police Station before they went to the Police Headquarters right next to Zhongshan Hall. The angry protesters smashed the glass windows of the investigators' truck and pushed it over on the roadside. Later they surrounded the police station, demanding the murderer to be handed over and brought to justice. After Li Chiung, a member of the Standing Committee of the Monopoly Bureau, and Yang Tzu-tsai, the leader of the fourth group of the sales department, learned of the conflict at about 9 p.m. they rushed to the conflict site, where their truck was attacked by around 100 protesters assembled there. Li and Yang quickly went to the Taipei City Police Station, where a crowd of about 600 to 700 people followed them. Li and Yang promised the protesters that they would punish the investigators, but the crowd insisted that they should hand over the criminals. Li and Yang, accompanied by the director of the Taipei City Police Station, had no choice but to send the six investigators to the Military Police Corps. However, the people were not satisfied with the measure, demanding the six investigators should be arrested immediately. Seeking an excuse to pacify the crowd, Li and Yang kept saying that they were "not authorized to reply to the request because the laws clearly stipulated how to punish the perpetrators and penalize the wrongdoing," but they were not understood. After the protesters learned that the investigators had been sent to the Military Police Corps, located to the opposite of the Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News office, they moved to surround the building, demanding the criminals be handed over. The regiment leader Zhang Mutao firmly denied the request and ordered a platoon of military police soldiers get into shooting position. Seeing this, the protesters hid in the arcade of the Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News office. Chou Chuang-chih, who had witnessed the whole situation, remembered that Wu Chin-lien, the Chief Editor of the Japanese version of Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News, had walked outside to see what was going on out of curiosity before he saw and greeted Chou Chuang-chih smilingly. Chou asked him, "Do you have gongs?" Wu said, "Yes." He went back to the office to fetch copper gongs. Soon after a rainstorm, the gongs were banged loudly and the protesters went on surrounding the Military Police Corps again. There were also some young people shouting out loud "Taiwanese people must get revenge" and "People who don't get revenge are not Taiwanese" while banging their gongs on the streets overnight. Some people went to ask Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News to cover the conflict. The Chief Editor Wu Chin-lien declined the request, saying that the Propaganda Commission of the Taiwan Province Executive's Office had ordered the newspaper not to report on the incident. In response, the protesters threatened to burn down the newspaper with gasoline, which forced Li Wanju, the chief executive officer of Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News, to talk to the protesters. Soon after Li Wanju agreed to publish the news, protesters started to leave the site. The next day, Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News reported on the conflict using number five font size in approximately a hundred words. (Page 48) Following the news coverage, the injuries and killings caused by the anti-contraband operation ignited public anger that had been simmering for over a year. The outraged people went to burn cars and surround the police stations and Military Police Corps, requesting the government execute the perpetrators. Not satisfied with the response from the government, the mass of protesters remained on the site not wanting to leave, which culminated in intensified conflict the following day. (Page 51)
On February 28 at 9 a.m., protestors continued to bang their gongs on the streets to announce a shutdown of all commercial activities, as the injuries and killings that had occurred in the anti-contraband operation had not been resolved. Citizens and shops immediately joined the strike and one after another shut their doors. A group of protesters marched to Taihei-cho Ni-chome Police Station, where the police station director, Huang, attempted to stop the rally. Remembering that Huang had been very abusive to the people living in his precinct, the protesters started to attack him and smashed the windows and belongings of the police station. As time passed, more and more people joined the rally, and, at about 10 a.m., they broke into the Taipei branch of the culpable Monopoly Bureau, located in Honmachi (today's Chongqing South Road), to discover a few contraband investigators inside the building. The protesters believed one of the investigators to be the murderer from last night, so they beat him and a policeman to death and injured four other people. They also took the matches, tobacco, alcohol, car and seven or eight bicycles that were stored in the building out to the street and burned them. The fire had not died off completely by the next day. By that time, there were about 2000 to 3000 people watching nearby. Military police and police were sent there in no time, but they did not dare deal with the conflict and eventually left… At midday, the protesters moved to the Monopoly Bureau headquarters located near the South Gate, where they continued to demand the punishment of the murderer. But military police and police authorities had already prepared themselves for the coming protesters so that only windows were broken… Because the protesters' request was not accepted by the Monopoly Bureau headquarters, they later headed to the Taiwan Province Executive's Office…The factory near the South Gate that belonged to the Monopoly Bureau was also damaged by the protesters, which showed how fierce the public resentment toward the Monopoly Bureau was. (Page 51)
Around 1 p.m., a rally of about 400 to 500 shouting, chanting protesters was led by the banging gongs to march from Taipei Railway Station to the headquarters of the Taiwan Province Executive's Office. It was said that many people who had suffered the consequences of the market rice shortage followed the march to the headquarters, hearing that rice was being given away there. As a result, the march seemed to become a formidable force, until it was obstructed at the Zhongshan Road intersection by well-equipped soldiers with rifles pointed at the protesters before they reached the square of the headquarters. In no time, waves of bullets forced the protesters to escape, leaving some people wounded or dead on the road. This was the Executive's Office Guard Shooting Incident, which was a key factor in the exacerbation of the whole situation. (Page 52)
After the shooting outside the headquarters of the Taiwan Province Executive's Office, large-scale confrontation became inevitable. The clash between Taiwanese locals and new immigrants from China that had been intensifying since the end of the Second World War was turned into violent conflict. While Taiwanese locals were fighting against the government, they also initiated a series of violent actions, "Attack A-suann," targeting the new Chinese immigrants. At around 2 p.m. on February 28, the protesters gathered at Taipei Park (now known as the 228 Peace Memorial Park) before they occupied the Taiwan Radio Station to broadcast to the whole island. While on air, they accused the government of corruption and criticized its forced rice exportation policies and the economic turmoil, as well as urged the public to ostracize the corrupt officials for the sake of self-preservation. However, it is said that the transmission station in Banqiao boycotted the uprising so that the radio proclamation was not passed on to the rest of the island and the message only circulated in the Taipei area. Whether true or not, Taiwan being small in territory meant that its relative ease of travel and communication did not hinder the conflict that occurred in Taipei on February 28 from spreading to the rest of island, where the request for punishing the perpetrators was heightened to a political struggle movement. At 3 p.m., seeing the dire situation, the Taiwan Garrison Command announced the imposition of martial law and sent armed police and soldiers to patrol the streets and machine-gun civilians. Nevertheless, protesters continued surrounding the Monopoly Bureau headquarters, Railway Police Bureau and Department of Transportation and other government agencies, where many civilians, including students, were killed in the conflict with police and soldiers. According to a "briefing" from the Taiwan Garrison Command, more than 1000 people gathered at the General Post Office refused to be dispersed by police and soldiers in the afternoon, and the ensuing clash resulted in the injury or death of about ten people. (Page 54)
Taiwanese people also vented their anger at the new immigrants from China, indiscriminately making reprisals against innocent people. Cheng Hwa Travel Agency and Tiger Brand's Yong An Tang, both located at former Honmachi, suffered the first blows. Not only were their windows smashed, their belongings were also moved out to be burned in open fires. At about 5 p.m., Sin Tai Company, the largest department store in Taipei run by the Sakaecho Trade Bureau, was also broken into and its products were taken out for public burning. Anyone who seized the chance to steal would be beaten up. People who were driving cars or trucks were asked to leave behind their vehicles, which were later pushed to Taipei Railway Station and Chien-Cheng Circle and burned. According to data, more than ten vehicles were set on fire. In addition to wreaking havoc, Taiwanese people also indiscriminately attacked new immigrants from China. In Honmachi, Taipei Railway Station, Taipei Park, Sakaecho, Eirakucho, Taiheicho and Wanhua, many new Chinese immigrants were reported to have been attacked by locals for no obvious reason. Hsinchu County Mayor, Wen-bo Chu, and the director of Taipei City Government's Department of Land were both publicly humiliated and beaten up. It is generally believed that these series of riots against new Chinese immigrants were unleashed by an explosion of pent-up anger accumulated in the one year and a half since the end of Second World War. Innocent low-ranking civil servants and their families, and Chinese businesspeople who came to travel or do business in Taiwan, became scapegoats of the public indignation. Many appalling violent acts were also reported… Wang Yi-ting, who served at the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration back then, witnessed these acts himself. But he said in most cases the attacks were done with bats or rod, and he did not see people using samurai swords. Not many assaults were carried out against women or aged people. Rape was not commonly reported. It was said that at least 15 newly-immigrated Chinese people were beaten to death and some others were paralyzed in wooden bat attacks. (Page 55)
Zhang Mutao, the leader of the Military Police Corps, also pointed out that the situation in Taiwan was reaching the stage of "treasonous uprising," with local governments completely losing their ability to control. Many police stations and army battalions around Taiwan were disarmed by the rioters, who took away at least 4000 firearms in total. Zhang accused Chen Yi of "seeming not to understand the severity of the situation and of still trying to paint an illusion of peace." (Page 203)
Taipei City was in the eye of this political storm before it engulfed the whole island. The February 28 Incident Settlement Committee (Footnote 21) in Taipei and its branches in many municipalities were the main actors in the political turmoil. During this period of turbulence, certain government officials who were already despised by the local people before the conflict quit their positions and escaped one by one, which meant that even those government officials who were willing to maintain the public order and cooperate with the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee were forced by the changing situation to temporarily hide away for their safety. The February 28 Incident Settlement Committee in Taipei and its branches in other municipalities all bore heavy responsibility for gathering public opinion, maintaining the public order and promoting political reforms, as well as communicating with the Chief Executive's Office (Footnote 22). This meant that at times they almost replaced the function of the Chief Executive's Office and local governments (Footnote 23). However, there were divergent opinions and conflicting policies within the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee and there were no unified administrative guidelines for its local branches to follow, which resulted in its failure to fully perform its function of pacifying the political situation.
After the outbreak of the incident, conflicts at different places were intensified, which gave the opportunity for the Chinese Communist Party and its allies to interfere politically. For example, Hsieh Hsueh-hung and Yang Ke-huang directed the Taichung area insurgence of the March 2 Incident (Footnote 24). Hsieh Hsueh-hung not only convened an "assembly of citizens" to take advantage of the power of demonstrators in completely taking over official institutions of the Taichung City Government, but also mobilized young people and students to organize the 27 Brigade (Footnote 25), which was a militarized force striving for the complete democratization of Taiwan. The path of armed uprising was thus created beyond the parliamentary approach adopted by the Settlement Committee.
The Chiayi area showed different characteristics from other places following the March 2 Incident (Footnote 26). First of all, local people formed an armed group and joined the military operation attacking an armory near Lantan Lake and Shueishang Airport (Footnote 27). Most of the participants in these actions were not professional soldiers. Secondly, many people in the Chiayi area supported these uprising actions. Because of this, Mayor Sun Chih-chun believed that the intensity of the battle and the casualties of civil servants and teachers were possibly the highest among all municipalities in Taiwan.
From March 3, Kaohsiung had experienced social unrest triggered by furious locals, who took increasingly drastic actions as time went by and later besieged the 105 Military Hospital and the headquarters of the Kaohsiung Military Police Corps (Footnote 28). Peng Meng-Chi, the commander of the Kaohsiung Military Fortress, believed that the besiegement already constituted a rebellion and was ready to resort to military crackdown. On March 6 at around 2 p.m., Peng Meng-Chi detained the delegates of the opposition (Footnote 29) and suppressed the uprising with a swift military operation (Footnote 30), which although stabilized the tumultuous situation in Kaohsiung, resulted in casualties inside the Kaohsiung City Government building (Footnote 31) and outside the railway station (Footnote 32). In the village purging that came afterwards, 1500 suspected "criminals" were arrested, some of whom were even executed in public. This is said to be one of the important reasons the trauma of the conflict could not be properly healed for a long time.
To reflect public opinion, the Taipei City Council invited Taiwanese members of the National Assembly, the Taiwan Provincial Assembly and the National Political Council to attend the inaugural conference of the Contraband Cigarette Murder Investigation Committee at 10 a.m. on March 1 at Zhongshan Hall. During the conference, a resolution was passed to delegate Huang Chao-chin (the speaker of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly), Chou Yan-shou (member of the Taipei City Council), Wang Tien-teng (member of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly) and Lin Chung (member of the National Political Council) to meet the Chief Executive and make several requests, including the abolishment of martial law, the release of civilians who had been arrested, the refraining of police and soldiers from shooting people, the organization of a settlement committee consisting of both representatives from the government and civil society, and the above-mentioned requests to be broadcast by Chen Yi to the whole population of Taiwan. Chen Yi accepted all the requests and thought that the Committee would be better renamed the "February 28 Incident Settlement Committee," which is how the organization came to have this name. (Page 57)
The February 28 Incident Settlement Committee on the one hand was trying to strengthen its function, while at the same time to promote itself. On the afternoon of March 6, the Settlement Committee hosted its inaugural conference at Zhongshan Hall chaired by Wang Tien-teng. In the conference, two people from the National Political Council (Lin Hsien-tang, Chen Yi-song), four from the National Assembly (Li Wanju, Lien Chen-tung, Lin Lien-Chung, Huang Kuo-shu), five from the Taipei City Council (Chou Yan-shou, Pan Chu-yuan, Chien Sheng-yu, Hsu Chun-ching, Wu Chun-lin) and six from the Taiwan Provincial Assembly (Wang Tien-teng, Huang Chao-chin, Su Wei-liang, Huang Chun-ching, Lin Wei-gong, Kuo Kuo-chi) were elected as standing members. Hung Huo-lien and Wu Kuo-hsin were placed on the waiting list. (Page 66)
On March 7, Chen Yi sent a letter to the Settlement Committee saying the many disputes and competing opinions among all parties in civil society should be discussed and integrated by the Commission before it presented proposals to the Chief Executive's Office. (Page 70)
From March 3 to 5, municipal branches of the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee were set up one after another across Taiwan, which indicated that the power of the Chief Executive's Office had been undermined. (Page 66)
On the morning of March 2, Taichung locals gathered at the Theater of Taichung to…join a civic assembly. Yang Ke-huang, a faculty member from the private Chienkuo Polytechnic School, hosted the meeting, and made a presentation on the origin of the incident in Taipei and the people's petition activities, as well as explained the political movement in Taipei and the requests made by the protestors. Later, the attendants unanimously chose the principal of Chienkuo Polytechnic School, Hsieh Hsueh-hung, to be the chairperson of the assembly. After assuming this position, Hsieh "described in detail the repressive rule by Chen Yi and the political atmosphere in Taiwan after the end of the Second World War, emphasizing that if Taiwanese people wanted to liberate themselves from the agony, they must unite to end the one-party authoritarian rule of the Chinese Nationalist Party and immediately implement the democratic autonomy of Taiwan. To achieve this, they must join the heroic resistance of the people of Taipei. They must struggle and fight for total victory regardless of the sacrifice that must be made." After Hsieh finished her speech, Wu Yong-chang, representing the Taiwan Political Construction Association, and lawyer Chang Feng-mo also gave speeches, which were considered to "be subversive to the government and provocative of the anti-newcomer sentiments in the Taiwanese population." At about 10 a.m., the attendees of the event decided to demonstrate on the street to show their support for the movement. Protesters turned on the sirens of fire engines to call on the people of Taichung to join the active resistance in this revolution. In no time, Taichung was shaken by the wave of uprising to the point that extreme tension could be felt everywhere in the city. (Page 84)
On March 6, Hsieh Hsueh-hung, who wished to thoroughly pursue her political agenda, decided to continue her resistance activity. She mustered around 400 young students to form the 27 Brigade inside the 8th Troop. Hsieh Hsueh-hung assumed the role of the brigade chief commander and appointed Chung Yi-jen and Tsai Tieh-cheng to be captain and chief of staff respectively. Important cadre members included Yang Ke-huang, Li Chiao-sung and Gu Rui-yun. The core troops consisted of the Puli Combat Team, headed by Chung Yi-jen's trusted aide Huang Hsin-chin; the Taichung Commercial School Combat Team, headed by Ho Tsip-huai and Tsai Po-hsun (with some communists as its team members); the Taichung Normal School Combat Team, headed by communist Lu Huan-chang; the Public Security Team, headed by Huang Chin-tao; and the Chienkuo Polytechnic School Combat Team, headed by Li Bing-kun. In addition, members also included farmers who had been enlisted by the Japanese Army; students from Yanping College; former second-lieutenants and engineers from the Japanese Army, and some people who voluntarily joined the fight. The establishment of the 27 Brigade was a manifestation of armed struggle against the local governments. "This militia represented an armed struggle alternative to the parliamentary route of the Settlement Commission. Among all the military resistance forces in central and southern Taiwan, the 27 Brigade was the one that endured the longest." (Page 91)
On March 2 at 3 p.m., a couple of dozen young people from Changhua and Taichung headed south to Chiayi Railway Station and Chiayi Fountain Circle. Among them, a rifle-carrying man whose age was about 30 or 40 was shouting on the street, urging his fellow citizens to burn down Mayor Sun Chih-chun's official residence. Seeing the dire situation, Mayor Sun jumped over the wall, having decided to seek refuge at the local military corps. Unfortunately, a large crowd of protesters followed him behind, appearing as a dangerous threat to the mayor's life. He was fortunate to encounter two City Council members, Lin Bao and Lin Wen-shu, who helped him get to the headquarters of the military police corps.
When Mayor Sun Chih-chun was trying to escape, actions like attacking newcomers from China, surrounding police stations, and taking over weapons could already be seen occurring on the streets. Because police officers had started to leave their posts one after another, the city center was in chaos. At 5 p.m., Mayor Sun Chih-chun tried to contact the garrison on the phone and asked Chiayi City Council Speaker Chung Chia-cheng to maintain the public order. On March 3, the day the assembly of citizens was convened, Chiayi City's branch of the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee was established with Chen Fu-chih (director of the Chiayi branch of the Preparatory Office of the Three People's Principles Youth Corps) as director and combat commander, and Li Hsiao-fang as secretary. Different groups and teams in the Committee were set up under its supervision. (Page 105)
After a couple of hours of negotiations, Chiayi City's branch of the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee decided to take over the radio station and broadcast its voluntary soldier recruitment message across the whole of Chiayi City and other places in Taiwan. Responding to this appeal, many people from Budai, Puzi, Yanshui, Jiali, Liujiao, Fanlu, Douliu, Taichung, Puli and Tainan Technical College came to Chiayi to join the movement. Under Mayor Sun's request, Luo Di-guang, the commander of the battalion (1st Battalion, Independent Regiment, 21st Division) stationed at Tomoncho sent his soldiers to crack down on the uprising activity in the city center, which made the development of the situation more uncertain. Given that the powerful weapons held by the government army could easily cause significant casualties, the Chiayi Settlement Committee delegated City Council members to negotiate with the military police corps with the aim of solving the conflict in a peaceful manner. However, both parties could not agree on the terms of a peaceful settlement.
On the same day, about 3000 volunteers who came to Chiayi to join the resistance force started to attack the Military Police Corps, Lantan Lake 19th Armory, Shueishang Airport and Tomoncho Battalion. On March 3 at 9 p.m., the Chiayi City Government was taken over by the resistance force and all police officers who were recent immigrants from China retreated to Tomoncho under the guidance of Police Chief Lin Tian-gang. (Page 106)
On March 3, "hundreds of villains" who had come down from Taipei were brought to the city center on trucks, and students from Tainan Technical College also arrived in Kaohsiung. This was the beginning of Kaohsiung's version of the February 28 Incident. At first, a platoon of the government army (1st Platoon, 7th Company, Independent Regiment) stationed at the 105 Military Hospital was attacked. At the same time, about 400 to 500 people were gathering at Yancheng attempting to attack the military corps. The beating up, humiliation and robbing of new immigrants from China and their businesses was heard of from time to time. The city center of Kaohsiung was in the grips of a severe public security crisis. In the evening, Police Chief Tung Pao-chao sought refuge at the Military Fortress after his car was set on fire by protesters. Before dawn, the police station's telephone line was cut off and its weapons were taken away. Many Taiwanese police officers fled with their guns. Some went home directly, no longer willing to be responsible for maintaining the public order. Some joined the resistance force. (Page 115)
On March 6 at 9 a.m., Kaohsiung City Mayor Huang Chung-tu and six other people, Peng Ching-Kao (City Council speaker), Tu Guang-ming, Fan Tsang-rung, Tseng Feng-ming, Lin Chieh (Lingya District mayor) and Li Fo-hsu (director of Taipower Kaohsiung Office) ascended the mountain to the Military Fortress Command in desperation. According to Huang Chung-tu, when he was planning to ask the Military Fortress Command about what the crackdown approach should be, tens of people broke into the City Government Office with guns, knives and grenades, and verbally abused him. The head of the group Tu Guang-ming put forward some illegal requests in an attempt to make unacceptable demands from the government army. He forced the city mayor and City Council speaker at gunpoint to take some members of his group to the Military Fortress Command… After the seven people entered the reception room of the Fortress Command, Commander Peng Meng-Chi walked in through another door. They sat at a round table. The mayor and speaker sat next to Commander Peng, while the other five people sat in front of him. The mayor later produced "nine peace clauses" to the commander. Commander Peng Meng-chi did not intend to negotiate, but to buy some time. He angrily bashed the table with his hand and shouted "ridiculous," before asking soldiers outside the room to come in to search each of the seven people. According to Peng Meng-chi, Tu Guang-ming was found to have a gun and Fan Tsang-rung and Tseng Feng-ming were both found to have grenades. Tu, Fan and Tseng were arrested immediately, while the others waited in the reception room watched by guards. (Page 117)
Under the guidance of Peng Meng-chi, his troops were divided onto three routes: one passed through Jianguo 3rd Road; another marched straight down from the Fortress Command on Shoushan, passed Gushan 1st Road and the Dagong Road Bridge, and arrived at the Kaohsiung City Government; the other went past the level crossing and entered Wufu 4th Road. Every route had three squads, consisting of about 100 soldiers in total per route. (Page 119)
The military group that was ordered to attack the Kaohsiung City Government building on the afternoon of March 6 was the one led by Chen Guo-ru. Seeing that machine guns were installed on the building, the government army confirmed that those who occupied the Kaohsiung City Government building were insurgents. Because of this, the military group did not follow the order of firing a warning shot in the air. Instead, soldiers threw grenades into the building and shot anyone they could see, which meant that the insurgents could hardly resist the attack and suffered significant casualties. There were 50 to 60 people who lost their lives, including City Council members Hsu Chiu-tsung, Huang Tzu, and Wang Ting-shih… When City Council member Chiu Tao-te stepped into the Kaohsiung City Government building, the floor was covered with corpses and blood as thick as sludge. (Page 119)
The troops tasked with the mission of attacking Kaohsiung Railway Station and Kaohsiung Senior High School were led by Ho Chun-Chang (3rd Battalion, 21st Division). The attack was divided into two routes. When the troops arrived at the railway station, a graduate of Kaohsiung Senior High School, Yan Tsai-tse, was leading his fellow students at Chang Chun Hotel to shoot the coming soldiers in an attempt to disperse them. Knowing the inferiority of his side, he risked his life to rush out of the hotel. When Yan Tsai-tse was shot and critically wounded, people in front of the railway station soon started to flee. Some hid in the underground passage, where the military later indiscriminately fired, leading to many deaths and injuries. (Page 119)
After the incident had spread and escalated, Chen Yi, who understood the insufficiency of his government's military strength (Footnote 33) and strived to maintain his powerful position, originally intended to downplay the severity of the situation and focus on resolving the conflict with a political approach. At first, the civil society leaders who had participated in the operation of the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee were only concerned with the murder that had occurred in a contraband cigarette operation (Footnote 34). However, the Chief Executive's Office did not handle it well, turning the original simple petition of prosecuting the murderer into a political reform movement that took advantage of the groundswell of public anger to gradually increase its demands from the government (Footnote 35). Due to the loose nature of the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee's organizational structure in Taiwan, the Central Government believed that the Committee was engaged in treasonous activities, which constituted an excuse for military crackdown in the eyes of public security agencies. Why did the government suppress the social unrest militarily? Existing archives, various literature and oral history records that the Central Government's response was deeply influenced by the opinions of those who dominated politics in Taiwan. At the beginning of the incident, Chen Yi and Ko Yuan-fen, who were in charge of the administration and military in Taiwan, did not understand the uniqueness of Taiwanese society, believing that the requests proposed by the Taiwanese people and the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee were unreasonable and disingenuous. As a result, the authorities in Taiwan employed divide and conquer tactics (Footnote 40) and infiltration strategy to try to de-escalate the crisis on the one hand; while constantly exaggerating the severity of the conflict so that they could demand more troops from the Central Government for military crackdown on the other.
As shown in government archives, the chairman of the Nationalist Government Chiang Kai-shek did not advocate a military crackdown at first, instead simply agreeing to dispatch a strengthened corps to Taiwan. The intention was to relocate troops back to where they were originally stationed to prevent the situation from worsening in Taiwan. Later, after Chiang Kai-shek received requests from Chen Yi and intelligence agencies, he changed his attitude to characterize the incident as an insurgency organized by rebels, ignored the petitions from Taiwanese civil society (Footnote 41), and decided to send in troops to clamp down on the resistance movement (Footnote 42). The military crackdown could be roughly divided into two main parts: armed raids and "village cleansing." Due to the thorough planning and military deployment by the Chief Executive's Office and the deliberate exaggeration of the actual situation of the rebellious movement, the armed raids were far more effective than initially expected. Except for some residual resistance from the 27 Brigade in central Taiwan (Footnote 43), confrontations rarely occurred in other parts of the island (Footnote 44). However, when executing the military crackdown in various regions, the government army engaged in retaliatory behavior, resulting in innocent casualties and the shooting of suspects on the spot without trial (Footnote 45).
The military crackdown was followed by "village cleansing," the main objectives of which were to arrest suspects (Footnote 46), confiscate weapons, check on residents, process those who turned themselves in (Footnote 47), and collect "Guarantees to Report Outlaws" from households. All of the above-mentioned tasks were fulfilled in time. However, in reality, many suspects were falsely incriminated or reported by revengeful individuals. Military police and police authorities rushed to arrest and interrogate these suspects without first obtaining sufficient evidence, which resulted in many cases of miscarriages of justice. There were also some convicted criminals who bribed their way out of charges or were helped free from jail by some people with special connections. Some unscrupulous soldiers and police took advantage of the opportunity to blackmail, extort and rob civilians of their personal possessions, causing public resentment to boil. There is little doubt that this was because the military authorities at the time failed to effectively prevent wrongdoing and control the situation, and failed to enforce effective discipline on soldiers. The military authorities should be held responsible for a great number of innocent causalities.
The February 28 Massacre is one of the greatest tragedies in Taiwanese history (Footnote 48). This tragedy can be looked at from two different perspectives. For Taiwanese people who fell victim to the massacre, it was ironic that it was not at the hands of imperialists during the Japanese colonial period that they perished, but at those of a military crackdown by a regime that came from the "ancestral land" to which they had always hoped to return (Footnote 49). They may have criticized the government or advocated for Taiwanese autonomy, actions far from treasonous in their minds, but they were executed by the authorities anyway. Most of the executions occurred after not first being subject to public trial, and secret executions, after which the bodies were carelessly disposed of, were no exception. These practices should have no place in a civilized society. Many victims who did not even participate in the anti-government movement were accidentally shot dead on the street by soldiers. From the perspective of the Chinese immigrants who came to work in Taiwan after the Second World War, although corruption and malfeasance were not uncommon in the army and the public service, not every single recently immigrated Chinese official was corrupt. However, in this incident, some recent immigrants from China became scapegoats, were injured or killed after being blindly attacked by furious mobs. Even though the number of these casualties was not as high as the Taiwanese victims, these attacks so horrified some of the recently immigrated public officials and teachers that they eventually left Taiwan. Cases like this widened the schism between both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Without doubt, those who beat up new immigrants from China, attacked government institutions or airports, or even committed homicide should be subject to legal prosecution. Therefore, not everyone who was injured or killed in the February 28 Massacre was an innocent victim, and must be differentiated.
In terms of military capacity in Taiwan, there was only a total of 5251 soldiers (an independent regiment and an engineer battalion from the 21st Division and three corps at the Fortress Command) stationed on the island before the incident. The three corps at the Fortress Command had 1532 soldiers; the engineer battalion responsible for protecting the area to the north of Taichung had 517 soldiers; the independent regiment responsible for protecting the area to the south of Chiayi had 2500 soldiers. The headquarters of the Taiwan Garrison Command could only maneuver soldiers from one battalion of the independent regiment, which only had approximately 700 soldiers. A military capacity this weak was not sufficient for the mission of guarding the Taipei area. (Page 201)
On March 6, Wang Tien-teng read a report regarding the truth of the February 28 Incident over broadcast radio to a domestic and foreign audience, hoping to eliminate doubt on all sides. The main content of this report was to clarify that the goal of the Settlement Committee was "not to prevent compatriots from other provinces from participating in the improvement of Taiwanese politics, but to remove corrupt officials and strive for political reform in Taiwan." In the report, solutions to the aftermath of the incident were proposed, which included seven articles regarding the "handling of the current situation" and 25 articles regarding "core solutions" (consisting of three military and 22 political solutions). This was the famous "32 Demands." The full proposal is as follows: A: On the handling of the current situation
1. The troops of the government army stationed in various places in Taiwan should immediately order their soldiers to temporarily disarm themselves and hand over their weapons to the joint custody of the Settlement Committee local branches and local military corps, so that further bloodshed can be prevented.
2. After the disarmament of the troops, local public order shall be maintained by military police, unarmed police officers and civil organizations.
3. When there is no threat from government army troops, no armed fighting is permitted anywhere. If there is a corrupt official, whether he is from Taiwan or other provinces of China, the only action that can be taken is to report him to the Settlement Committee, which will ask the military police and police authorities to arrest the corrupt official. He will be strictly prosecuted according to the law. No one is permitted to resort to any extrajudicial punishment.
4. Any suggestions regarding political reform can be written down in a list before being submitted to the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee, which will work on a total resolution.
5. It is highly advisable that the government should suspend all military operations immediately in Taiwan. The Central Government should not be asked under any circumstances to dispatch troops to Taiwan. Any attempt to solve the incident militarily will only bring more bloodshed, resulting in international intervention.
6. Before the political problems can be fundamentally resolved, every governmental policy (whether it is military or political) must be discussed with the Settlement Committee. This will prevent people from doubting the sincerity of the government, and avoid any kind of misunderstanding.
7. Regarding this incident, the government should not hold any member of the public accountable. In the future, there is no excuse for the government to arrest anyone involved in this incident. Victims of this incident should be preferentially compensated. B: Core solutions a: Regarding the military
8. Troops with inadequate education and training are absolutely not allowed to be stationed in Taiwan.
9. The Central Government can dispatch officials to conscript Taiwanese soldiers for the purpose of protecting Taiwan.
10. Before the end of the Civil War on the Chinese mainland, any form of conscription in Taiwan is strongly opposed except that which is meant for protecting the island in order to prevent Taiwan from being implicated in the warfare. b: Regarding political reform
11. A self-government act should be legislated as the foundation of Taiwanese politics in order to realize the ideas Sun Yat-sen formulated in his Fundamentals of National Reconstruction.
12. City and county mayors should be democratically elected before June this year. Re-election of city and county council members should be held at the same time.
13. Candidates for directorships of departments in the Taiwan Provincial Government should be approved by the Taiwan Provincial Assembly, which will be called the "Taiwan Provincial Council" after reorganization. The re-election for the members of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly should be held before June this year. For the moment, candidates for department directorships should be suggested by the Chief Executive before they are reviewed by the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee.
14. More than two thirds of positions for department directors in the Taiwan Provincial Government should be taken by people who have lived in Taiwan for at least 10 years (it is recommended that the same logic be applied to the departments of Secretary General, Civil Administration, Finance, Industry and Mining, Agriculture and Forestry, Education, and Police).
15. The director positions of the Police Department and all municipal police stations should be given to Taiwanese locals. The provincial Police Squad, Railway Police and Industry and Mining Police should be abolished immediately.
16. At least half of the members of the Legal Affairs Commission should be Taiwanese locals. The chair of the commission should be elected from among the members.
17. No other authorities except police authorities can arrest suspects.
18. Military police can only arrest suspects affiliated to the army.
19. Any politically-motivated arrest and incarceration is prohibited.
20. The rights to freedom of unarmed assembly and to freedom of association with others should be absolutely protected.
21. The rights to freedom of speech, publication, and strike should be absolutely protected. The application registration system for newspaper publications should be abolished.
22. The Civil Organization Act should be repealed immediately.
23. The regulation regarding the verification of candidates' qualifications in legislative elections should be repealed.
24. It is recommended that the legislative election procedure at all levels should be improved.
25. Uniform progressive taxation should be implemented for all income tax. Besides luxury tax and inheritance tax, no other additional taxes should be imposed.
26. All the director positions of state-owned enterprises should be taken by Taiwanese people.
27. Democratically elected monitoring committees should be set up in all state-owned enterprises. The responsibility for dealing with any remaining Japanese-owned properties should be entrusted to the Taiwan Provincial Government. When nationalizing the factories and mines previously owned by the Japanese, administration committees should be set up and more than half of the committee members should be Taiwanese.
28. The Monopoly Bureau should be abolished. Rationing of life essentials should be implemented.
29. The Trade Bureau should be abolished.
30. The Propaganda Commission should be abolished.
31. The president and chief prosecutor positions of all district courts should be taken by Taiwanese people.
32. More than half of judicial officers, such as judges and prosecutors, should be Taiwanese citizens. (Page 66)
On the afternoon of March 7, the Settlement Committee held a plenary meeting, in which the original 32 demands were passed along with 10 additional demands. Among these 10 demands, two demands about military affairs and eight demands about political affairs completed the so-called "42 Demands." The additional demands are as follows:
1. The armed forces in Taiwan should recruit as many Taiwanese citizens as possible.
2. The Chief Executive's Office should be reorganized into the Taiwan Provincial Government. Before this proposal is endorsed by the Central Government, the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee's Political Affairs Bureau should be responsible for the re-organization and the recruitment of judicious and talented people for the future government.
3. The Political Affairs Bureau should be set up under the Settlement Committee before March 15. One candidate will be chosen by the representatives of each township before he can be elected by the municipal legislative councils. The member quotas for each municipality are as follows: two for Taipei, three for Taipei County, one for Keelung City, three for Hsinchu County, one for Taichung City, four for Taichung County, one for Changhua City, one for Chiayi City, one for Tainan City, four for Tainan County, one for Kaohsiung City, three for Kaohsiung County, one for Pingtung City, one for Penghu County, one for Hualien County, and one for Taitung County, making a total of 30 (actually 29).
4. The Political Affairs Bureau will be in charge of reviewing and authorizing the abolishment and merging of labor camps and other unnecessary institutions.
5. The processing of Japanese-owned properties should be entrusted to the Taiwan Provincial Government.
6. The Taiwan Garrison Command should be abolished so that military power is not abused.
7. Aboriginal people's political and economic rights and interests should be protected.
8. Labor protection law should be implemented on June 1 this year.
9. Taiwanese prisoners of war and traitor suspects who are imprisoned should be released immediately with no conditions attached.
10. Taiwan should be reimbursed the estimated value of 150000 tons of sugar previously given to the Central Government. (Page 70)
On the one hand, Chen Yi agreed with the demands made by the Taiwanese legislative representatives that the Settlement Committee should be set up as a joint effort of the government and civil society. On the other hand, Chen Yi, Ko Yuan-fen and Chang Mu-tao contacted Chiang Wei-chuan in an attempt to sabotage the unity of the Settlement Committee's leadership. National Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (NBIS) agent Hsu Te-huei became the leader of the Chung Yi Service Squad and the head of the Public Order section of the Settlement Committee. The head of the NBIS Taipei Branch Lin Ting-li was appointed by the Taiwan Garrison Command as leader of the Yi Yong Squad, which was set up for the mission of "dividing the unity of rebels and using the power of the people to attack them. Behind the scenes, factions of the Chinese Nationalist Party, the government and the army were allegedly competing with each other for greater power. The party-directed intelligence agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) accused Chiang Wei-chuan and Wang Tien-teng of being political opportunists who continued fanning the flames of public fury. Ko Yuan-fen, who represented the NBIS, the Central Government's military intelligence agency, criticized Chiang and Wang for both being bullies recently recruited by the party's headquarters. In the early days of the Settlement Committee, its members were predominantly from the Chinese Nationalist Party. However, the party's office in Taiwan did not try to guide the development of the Settlement Committee. Instead, it chose to watch it decline and fall from the sidelines. As a result, under different influences, the Settlement Committee continued to increase the magnitude of its requests, which later became justification for the Chief Executive's Office decision in favour of military crackdown. (Page 201)
According to Su Sin, who later defected to the Chinese Communist Party, the "32 Demands" was drafted by left-wing youth surrounding Wang Tien-teng, such as Pan Tsin-sin, Hsiao You-san, Tsai Ching-jong and Su Sin. Their participation in the drafting was endorsed by the underground leader of the Chinese Communist Party in Taiwan… Chen Yi-song, a former member of the National Political Council, said that there were indeed left-wing young people drafting for Wang Tien-teng, but Taiwanese Communist Party members tended to exaggerate their contributions during the February 28 Incident after they defected to China, so the credibility of their claims is questionable. According to a member of the NBIS who investigated the Tsai Hsiao-chien communist spy case, the Chinese Communist Party had a very limited influence in Taiwan at the time and the Taiwanese Communist Party was not the same thing as the Chinese Communist Party. (Page 69)
It is said that when the "32 Demands" was proposed, intelligence officers from the NBIS and the CBIS, such as Bai Cheng-chi and Lu Bo-hsiung from the CBIS and Hsu Te-huei from the NBIS, were present. The additional 10 demands, which were used as an excuse for military crackdown by the government, were deliberately suggested by the NBIS and CBIS employees present at the meeting. For example, the 29th political demand that "Taiwanese prisoners of war and traitor suspects who are imprisoned should be released immediately" was suggested by Wu Kuo-hsin, National Assembly member and secretary of the Chinese Nationalist Party's special branch of Taiwan Railways, and was passed with a cheering crowd. It was also heard that there were originally only 12 demands and the other 32 demands and additional 10 demands were passed by an applauding crowd made up by members of the Constitutional Association. (Page 71)
On March 8, the Settlement Committee released a statement overturning the resolution passed the day before, saying that too many people participating in the meeting had resulted in the passing of 42 impetuous and inappropriate demands, such as "abolishing the Taiwan Garrison Command and demilitarizing the government army. Demands like these were on the verge of a rebellion against the Central Government and were not in line with the public opinion of Taiwanese people." (Page 72)
After the outbreak of the incident, it is said that Liou Chi-Kuang advocated a compete military crackdown and Ko Yuan-fen (the chief of staff of the Taiwan Garrison Command), Chen Ta-yuan (director of the investigative department of the Taiwan Garrison Command), and Lin Ting-li (the head of the NBIS Taipei Branch) suggested "using the people's power to fight against the people's power." On February 28, Ko Yuan-fen ordered intelligence officers to investigate and monitor the major figures inside the Settlement Committee. The Chief Executive's Office understood the government army was not strong enough to deliver a military crackdown and, instead of oppression from outside, the best way to suppress a social movement was to infiltrate the movement to divide and destroy it from within. The Chief Executive's Office soon adopted the latter strategy, taking advantage of Chiang Wei-chuan's Taiwan Political Construction Association to weaken the power of the Settlement Committee by infiltrating it with intelligence officers waiting for an opportunity to undermine its operation. From February 28 to March 1, the commander of the 4th Military Police Regiment wrote to Chiang Wei-chuan twice, urging him to "clear up the mess." On March 1, Ko Yuan-fen also wrote to Chiang Wei-chuan, inviting him to help with the precarious situation. This showed that the Chief Executive's Office had already planned a strategy for infiltration and sabotage of the Settlement Committee. (Page 59)
On March 3, the Settlement Committee resolved to telegraph Chairman Chiang Kai-shek, informing him of the truth of the whole incident. On the same day at 4 p.m., a telegraph was sent in the name of the Taiwanese People's Congress, accusing the Chief Executive's Office of allowing soldiers and police to randomly attack civilians and shoot innocent people, of causing public anger among the Taiwanese population, of being permissive of government misconduct and unlawful business, and of ignoring complaints from the Taiwanese people. In the same telegraph, the Taiwanese People's Congress also urged the Central Government to send high officials to investigate in Taiwan so that public anger could be soothed, and demanded local autonomy soon be implemented in Taiwan. On the same day, Li Kuang-wei, the chairman of the Taiwanese Compatriot Association in Shanghai, submitted a request to Chiang Kai-shek, demanding him to seriously investigate the incident, to punish those who were politically and morally responsible for the incident, and to restore Taiwanese people's trust in the government by purging corrupt officials. All the above showed that Chiang Kai-shek not only fully grasped the intelligence and opinions regarding the incident, but also understood the feelings and expectations of Taiwanese people. (Page 203)
On March 15, the government army was advancing toward Puli, narrowing the encirclement… The 27 Brigade was in the very disadvantaged situation of not being able to communicate with the outside world after two major external traffic routes were blockaded. Soon, Chen Ming-chung was delegated as the head of a guerrilla force that was divided into three columns to attack the government army stationed near Sun Moon Lake. At the same time, Huang Chin-tao, head of the Public Security Team, led a squad safeguarding the Wu-niu-lan Bridge in order to prevent the government army from attacking from the back. The guerrilla force engaged in a fierce battle with a troop of the government army (4th Company, 2nd Battalion, Regiment 436) near Sun Moon Lake, which resulted in severe casualties in the government army and forced it to retreat to Shuili. However, running out of ammunition, the 27 Brigade's guerrilla force also suffered a massive casualty toll. The next day (March 16), soldiers from two battalions of the government army (2nd and 3rd Battalion, Regiment 436) engaged in another fierce battle with Huang Chin-tao's squad at Wu-niu-lan Bridge. At first, the squad took advantage of a good location to heavily ambush the government army, causing mass causalities. Due to a lack of sufficient firepower and battle experience, Huang Chin-tao's squad gradually found itself in the dire situation of being besieged by the encroaching troops of the government army. Huang Chin-tao had no choice but to break through the blockage with another fighter, escaping to seek help from the headquarters of the 27 Brigade. But after arriving at the Puli Martial Arts Hall, where the 27 Brigade's headquarters was based, chaos and panic reigned among the rebels, and fewer than 20 people were willing to help. In the evening of the same day, faced with a besiegement that made it impossible to replenish weapons and ammunition and to communicate with other resistance forces, the 27 Brigade could not keep on fighting and decided to temporarily disband. Some of its members joined Chen Tsuan-di's guerilla force in Meishan, Chiayi; some just returned to their homes. At around 11 p.m., after the members had buried their weapons, the 27 Brigade was officially disbanded. (Page 221)
On March 14, the government army stationed in Chiayi City started to attack Douliou, battling on the street with the remains of Chen Tsuan-di's guerilla force (a public order team that was led by the director of Douliou Township Chien An Hospital, Chen Tsuan-di, and was not part of the 27 Brigade). Outnumbered by its rivals, Chen Tsuan-di fled with his guerilla force to Meishan, Chiayi. On March 16, the government army (8th Company, Regiment 436) pressed to the east of Meishan, where it battled fiercely with about 200 remaining insurgents. The battle ended with 10 guerillas being shot dead and with 20 rifles, two machine guns, one grenade launcher and one mountain gun being captured. Two days after the battle, another company of the government army (7th Company, Regiment 436) also engaged in a tense fight with approximately 100 guerillas, killing about 60 insurgents, arresting 12 and capturing a load of ammunition. On March 19, Chen Tsuan-di retreated to the mountainous area with his troops in preparation for long-lasting guerilla warfare, taking away all the weapons, ammunition, food and bullock carts that belonged to the nearby residents. Chen Tsuan-di urged those who joined the resistance from other places to hide in the mountains for a year-long operational plan. On March 20, the 21st Division and the 22nd Division were concerned about the remaining rebels hiding in the mountains, so a company (8th Company, Regiment 436) was sent to Meishan, from which the remaining guerillas were forced to flee, leaving behind a load of weapons and ammunition after several hours of fierce battle.
Due to its intimidating terrain, the Meishan and Changhu areas were easy to defend but hard to attack. Later, even though the government army had sent troops to these areas and killed many of the remaining guerillas, it could still not eradicate the insurgents. Even after Wei Tao-ming assumed the role of chairman of the Taiwan Provincial Government on May 16 and announced the lifting of martial law as well as the end of "village cleansing," and after the Taiwan Garrison Command turned the areas designated for military crackdown into security areas, the remnants of Chen Tsuan-di's guerilla force were fighting in Meishan and Changhu. (Page 221)
By March 21, the Keelung Military Fortress had more or less completed the military crackdown mission. According to data, from February 28 to March 10, the weapons and ammunition that it captured from the rebels consisted of six light machine guns (all required fixing) and 139 rifles (most required fixing). During this period, the Fortress used: 34643 rifle bullets, 39897 light machine gun bullets, 5183 pistol bullets, 9592 heavy machine gun bullets, 549 grenades, and 35 pieces of pounder ammunition. The ammunition used in the operation consisted of as many as 100000 bullets, which shows that the military crackdown by the Keelung Military Fortress was extremely severe. Given the amount of ammunition used, it is unlikely that the number of casualties was only about 100 people. The true number is still awaiting investigation. (Page 237)
It would seem that the Keelung Military Fortress allowed its soldiers to execute suspects as they wished in their own designated areas. Examples include: Kuo Chang-yuan and six others, who were murdered in front of the Toucheng Matsu Temple; the Badu Railway Station Massacre; the executions of Chen Cheng-yue, Chang Yun-chang, Chao Tong (all three from Luodong), Yang Yuan-ting (from Keelung), Hsu Jih-sheng, Hsu Chia-chang, Hsu Shih-ming, Chien Te-fa, Chen Chin-pi, Tian Wen-kuan and Shi Chin-jong (all seven from Jinshan). The families of the victims confirmed that these individuals were publicly executed without due legal process, which means that no list of the suspects or reports were left, making it hard for the general public to believe the official death tolls. When soldiers raided the streets, anyone who did not escape in time was shot dead on the spot or detained without a legitimate reason. However, those who were willing to use money or valuables to bribe the soldiers were set free. Many people were tortured and tormented to death. Six Taiwanese compatriot organizations in Shanghai summarized the news reports and hearsay in a joint statement, writing: "Soldiers in Keelung penetrated people's feet with metal wires and tied them up in groups of three or five. If it was just one person, he would be put in a sack before being thrown out to sea. It was recently reported that floating bodies were visible on the sea surface near Keelung." And: "Soldiers in Keelung cut off the ears, noses and genitals of about 20 young students before stabbing them to death." Many interviewees said they had also witnessed horrible scenes like those described in the statement while trying to find the bodies of their family members. (Page 237)
The February 28 Incident is the most tragic massacre in Taiwan's history, with thousands or potentially tens of thousands of casualties. The victims ranged from elites to common people. Countless numbers were murdered without any justifiable reason, which has resulted in a widespread unforgiveness held by victims' families and society toward the incident. This unfortunate event caused by manmade factors has led to the Taiwanese independence movement, the rise of left-leaning ideologies and conflict between people who already lived in Taiwan before the war (and their offspring) and people who moved to Taiwan from China after the war (and their offspring). The consequences of the incident have seriously impacted the harmony and future development of Taiwanese society. (Preface 2)
The last words of Kuo Chang-yuan, the director of Yilan Public Hospital, were: "The land I was born to is not my ancestral country, where I shall return after death. Death and life are decided by Heaven, about which I do not have any second thoughts." (Lee Shiao-feng, Taiwanese elites who disappeared in the February 28 Incident, p. 170.)
The first group of victims were those officially determined guilty. Since the government regarded the February 28 Incident as treasonous, it was inevitable that anyone who took part in the organized insurgence and rioted would be included in the so-called "blacklist" (Footnote 51) before they were arrested and sentenced. However, an investigation shows that many malpractices were discovered in relation to the identification of who was involved and the application of due process of law. Firstly, most participants believed that they had not had any intention of overturning the regime and only advocated the reform of Taiwanese politics. It was not surprising that people who were convicted of "attempting to subvert the government" could not accept the government's justifications. Secondly, some of the victims were arrested secretly and the cause of their death could not be confirmed. Was it an execution that was carried out after the trial in accordance with the conviction? Or was it revenge instigated by their enemies? The families of the victims did not know the answers and hence have lived in sorrow since the massacre. In 2007, a report investigating responsibility for the massacre was published, confirming that Chiang Kai-shek, the chairman of the Nationalist government at the time, should be mainly held responsible for the losses of the February 28 Incident.
The second group of victims were those who did violate martial law. It was understandable that the Nationalist government declared martial law because of the civil war. However, Taiwanese compatriots had not experienced the rule of martial law in the past and did not understand what martial law was. Many local people who did not speak the national language Mandarin or other local languages of China were shot dead on their way to school or work during curfew hours, simply because they did not understand the soldiers' verbal warnings (Footnote 52). The way these people were treated was extremely unjust and unpardonable.
The third group of victims were those killed by immoral soldiers (Footnote 53). After the founding of the Republic of China in 1912, the country had been torn apart by incessant military conflicts. Eight years of fighting against Japanese invasion had a particularly great impact on military education, resulting in failure to reform the military administration and an ill-disciplined army. Therefore, countless wrongdoings and malfeasance (Footnote 54) emerged during the military crackdown in Taiwan. The most common was using one's position in the government to revenge for something personal. Some people were killed because of disagreements; others were murdered after being robbed of their possessions (Footnote 55). Although commanders of the government's army tried to educate their soldiers and correct their behaviors (Footnote 56), illegality was still hard to eradicate. In addition, due to policies of rewarding those who reported suspects secretly (Footnote 57) or identified gangsters (Footnote 58) to the government, many innocent people were also unjustly treated due to some personal grievances and wrongly killed in the end. Some people were deliberately set up and put to death by the government, such as those victims who died in Yuanshan (Footnote 59) on March 8, 1947.
The organizations that victims joined included the Settlement Committee, Taiwan Political Construction Association, Taiwan Autonomy Youth Alliance, Three People's Principles Youth Corps, newspapers, and communist groups. It goes without saying that the organizations that were most greatly impacted by the incident were political ones, especially those that had previously criticized politics or taken part in political activities. (Page 266)
According to the Name List of Criminals that Chen Yi presented to Chairman Chiang Kai-shek on March 13, 1947, there were 20 fugitives that participated in the February 28 Incident, who were Wang Tien-teng (member of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly), Hsu Cheng (lecturer at Yanping College, member of the Working Committee of Taiwan Province of the Chinese Communist Party), Lee Jen-kuei (Taipei City Council member), Hsu Chun-ching (Taipei City Council member), Tan Him, Lim Bo-seng (professor at National Taiwan University), Sung Fei-ju (the director of People's Herald News), Ai Lu-sheng (the founder of the Great Light Post), Juan Chao-ji (the General Manager of Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News), Wu Chin-lien (the Chief Editor of Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News), Liao Chin-ping, Huang Chao-sheng (Taipei City Council member), Lin Lien-Chung (member of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly), Wang Ming-chao (a staff member of the Taiwan Province Railway Management Commission), Si Kang-lam, Lee Ruei-han (lawyer), Lee Ruei-feng (lawyer), Chang Kuang-tsu (the head of gangsters in Taipei), Horiuchi Kinjo (a technologist at the Industrial Research Institute), and Uesaki Torasaburo. According to the official archive, Chang Kuang-tsu, an influential gangster in Taipei, was indicted for being the culprit who instigated the killing of people from other provinces and led his subordinates to assist in the rebellion. Horiuchi and Uesaki were believed to be Japanese spies. The other 17 people on the list were targeted for conspiring in the rebellion. These 17 people went missing after being arrested by the government's army soon after it entered Taipei on March 9. The majority of these 17 people joined one or two political organizations. Six of them, Wang Tien-teng, Lee Jen-kuei, Hsu Chun-ching, Liao Chin-ping, Huang Chao-sheng and Lin Lien-Chung (Taichung), joined the Settlement Committee. Seven of them, Wang Tien-teng, Lee Jen-kuei, Tan Him, Wu Chin-lien, Liao Chin-ping, Huang Chao-sheng and Si Kang-lam, joined the Taiwan Political Construction Association (and some also joined the Settlement Committee at the same time). In addition, Wang Tien-teng also joined the Three People's Principles Youth Corps and assumed the role of director at the Taipei Branch of the Corps in Taiwan. On March 11 and 13, respectively, Chen Yi declared the Settlement Committee and Taiwan Political Construction Association were illegal organizations, before he ordered them to disband and indicted their members for participating in rebellious activities. However, whether or not these two organizations were actually involved in rebellious activities was not put on trial, meaning the due process of law was lacking. Moreover, almost half of the people on the list, Hsu Cheng, Sung Fei-ju, Ai Lu-sheng, Juan Chao-ji, Wang Ming-chao, Lee Ruei-han and Lee Ruei-feng (eight in total), did not belong to the above-mentioned political organizations. The so-called "rebellion" was also unclearly defined (Page 267). According to the archive, only Tan Him was put on trial and sentenced to the death penalty among the above-mentioned fugitives (Page 271).
Chen Yi urged the public to restore education and economic activities. However, some obedient students went back to school and were accidentally killed by soldiers. Many Taiwanese people who were milk delivery workers, newspaper delivery workers, telecommunication workers, vegetable vendors and rickshaw-pullers, were also accidentally killed just because they did not understand the regulations of martial law……According to interviews, the main reason these people were killed was because most Taiwanese people had not experienced the rule of martial law before and did not understand it and because the majority of Taiwanese people did not speak Mandarin and could not communicate with soldiers (Page 294).
The corrupt political atmosphere also led to unscrupulous government officials taking the opportunity to retaliate against private individuals for personal reasons. One of the most sensational examples was the murder of Wu Hong-chi, a High Court judge, and seven other people…….At midnight on March 15, multiple gunshots were heard near Nangang Bridge. The next morning, the bodies of Wu Hong-chi and seven other people were discovered near the bridge (Page 295). The official explanation said that "an assassination group was formed by gangsters in the city of Taipei, dedicated to killing military officers, people from other Chinese provinces and the officials of Taiwanese background who used their power to abuse other people. This group has started its actions and possibly killed those eight people who died near Nangang Bridge……" There was also an unofficial explanation of the assassination group: it was based at the addiction rehab center on Baoan Street and formed by gangsters who were hired by the regime……to kill dissidents. Both the public and Wu's family believed that Wu died as a result of personal vengeance……Wu was honest and forthright. He often criticized the wickedness of the legal system and often chastised his colleagues for their wrongdoings, which might have offended some people. The prosecutor whose surname was Wang was believed to be suspicious. Wu's wife claimed that on the name card that her husband left behind, a character "Wang" had been clearly etched out using a nail, which seemed to be a hint that the prosecutor Wang was the murderer (Page 297). The murder of Ong Iok-lim was probably triggered by a personal vengeance from a government official. Ong Iok-lim was the first prosecutor of Taiwanese background during the Japanese colonial period. After the Second World War, Ong Iok-lim worked as a prosecutor at the Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office……Ong Iok-lim was a man of integrity and impartiality by nature who had prosecuted many corrupt officials. Among them, the most famous was the Hsinchu City Mayor Kuo Shao-tsung who was involved in the misappropriation of milk powder donated by the United States. As soon as Ong Iok-lim found that the culprit of this scandal was the Hsinchu City Mayor Kuo Shao-tsung, he went to arrest him. Unexpectedly, the director of the Hsinchu City Police Department ordered his fellow policemen to encircle the prosecutor and take away his arrest warrant. Afterwards, Ong Iok-lim's superior was surprisingly injudicious and wanted to hold him accountable for the loss of the arrest warrant. Outraged by this treatment, Ong Iok-lim resigned from the post of prosecutor and became a teacher at Jianguo High School in Taipei. It was said that after the arrival of the additional government's army, Kuo Shao-tsung took the opportunity to revenge himself and sent police to Taipei to arrest Ong Iok-lim and executed him. (Page 299)
During the February 28 Incident, Taiwanese people not only fought against the Chief Executive's Office, but also attacked immigrants who had moved from China after the Second World War. Because of this, the Nationalist government's army took retaliatory actions against Taiwanese people. The recently arrived troops from China were known for their lack of discipline and ethics, which was evidenced by endless instances of unfathomable crimes. The archive of all sorts of news coverage and interviews proves that the government's army started its indiscriminate massacre in Taiwan after landing in Keelung on March 8. The Taiwan Garrison Command at some point even gave its clerical workers pistols and authorized them to pull the trigger for self-defense. The Nationalist government's army was also ordered to kill all traitors and rebels. Some soldiers even showed off their shooting skills by targeting civilians. When the government's army entered the city of Taipei, anyone who did not speak Mandarin was shot dead, which resulted in the streets being scattered with corpses from March 8 to 13 (Page 294).
For example, on March 10, somewhere on Changchun Road in Taipei came a group of soldiers who wanted to rob people of their money, watches or personal belongings. Surprisingly, their unlawful behaviors actually resulted in the death of many local people. (Page 295)
On the morning of March 11, the Nationalist government's army declared the rule of marital law after it entered Tainan. When soldiers were checking pedestrians near the railway station, Tu Ping-chang (a private from the 7th Company of the 3rd Battalion, Independent Corps of the 21st Army) confiscated without authorization a few thousand Taiwan dollars and a watch from a Taiwanese person's pockets. When the deputy leader of the battalion noticed the wrongdoing, he not only returned the money and the watch back to that Taiwanese person, but also stripped Tu Ping-chang of his private's uniform and executed him on the spot (Page 255).
In order to fully accomplish the mission, the Taiwan Garrison Command further published a reward and punishment notice, which stipulated that anyone who reported criminals or informed the government of people secretly owning weapons would be rewarded a prize that ranged from 1,000 to 10,000 Taiwan dollars; while anyone who hid intelligence and did not report to the government would be prosecuted for being a conspirator (Page 214). Therefore, some ill-intentioned people (both Taiwanese and recent immigrants from China) took the opportunity to get rid of their enemies and get some money (Page 303).
The heads of villages were forced to report a certain number of gangsters in their home villages. If not, they would be severely punished. This led many village heads who were frightened by the potential punishment to randomly report innocent villagers, resulting in many unnecessary deaths, such as people from Beitou District (Page 303). Some village heads who did not want to engage in such unethical practice were killed. Yu Chu-gen, a village head from Jinguashi, Ruifang, was one of the victims. After the Nationalist government's army entered Jinguashi, he was forced to hand in guns and a list of gangsters from his village. Yu Chu-gen refused to give in, saying that "our village is very peaceful and simple and has never taken part in the incident." In the end, he was tortured to near death before being executed (Page 306).
It is said that the Yuanshan Massacre on March 8 was orchestrated by Ko Yuan-fen and executed by Lin Ting-li and Hsu Te-huei. According to Liao, the deputy leader of the Chung Yi Service Squad, he had brought more than a hundred students to Yuanshan to take over guns, which would be used for maintaining public order. However, after encountering gunshot from soldiers, these students tried to surround the soldiers and poured water on them. The students' actions may have infuriated the soldiers, who took revenge on them in the evening of March 8. More than a hundred students were killed. The next morning on March 9, Ko Yuan-fen took Yang Liang-kung to the square in front of the Yuanshan Army warehouse to identify about a hundred (or about twenty according to a different source) corpses of the so-called rebels that the Nationalist government's soldiers claimed to have killed the previous night. It was said that Yang Liang-kung was suspicious of Ko Yuan-fen's claims and said to his colleagues that it was very strange that only high school students who were about 18 or 19 years old were killed and there were no signs of fighting nearby (Page 210).
Soon after the social unrest had ended and public order restored, the Chief Executive's Office launched a compensatory program (Footnote 60) at the end of March, giving relief funds to government officials and teachers and their dependants and domestic workers who had experienced loss of life and property, and helping them to overcome the hardship in their lives. However, this job was not done satisfactorily. There were many reasons for this, including a) the compensatory program was only targeted at government officials, teachers and their dependants and domestic workers, and it did not cover the losses that the general public experienced; b) not all of the compensatory program was reasonable, resulting in some people who endured great losses but only received a disproportionately small compensation, and some people who experienced not much loss but applied for an exceedingly large compensation; c) due to the scarcity of the relief fund, some ill-intentioned government officials and teachers pretended to raise funds from the general public (especially wealthy people), but actually they were extorting money for their personal use (Footnote 61). This left an extremely bad impression on Taiwanese people. Furthermore, because not many government officials or teachers were compensated, the general public and the families of victims thought that the government had not started any compensatory program dedicated to the losses of either Taiwanese people or immigrants coming from China after the Second World War. Therefore, many people requested that the government should draft the compensatory measures as soon as possible.
In order to compensate the government officials and teachers that belonged to the Chief Executive's Office and its subsidiary departments, the Chief Executive's Office announced nine articles of Compensatory measures dedicated to compensate government officials and teachers of the Chief Executive's Office and its subsidiary departments for their losses in the February 28 Incident. The complete content of the measures was as follows:
Article 1: The compensation or relief for the losses endured by government officials and teachers of the Chief Executive's Office and its subsidiary departments is undertaken in accordance with these regulations.
Article 2: The range of compensation and relief is limited to death, injury and loss of personal belongings.
Article 3: The deceased is given a single payment of 200,000 Taiwan dollars as relief for the funeral expenses. This article is also applied to the spouse, direct blood relatives, and servants.
Article 4: All medical expenses for the injured are reimbursed at the actual cost upon production of a hospital receipt. Those who have not been hospitalized for further treatment and have been certified by his or her direct superior can receive a relief fund of 5,000 Taiwan dollars if it is a minor injury and 50,000 Taiwan dollars if it is a serious injury. The seriousness of the injury is evaluated as stipulated in the Criminal Code. This article is not applicable to those whose medical expenses have already been paid by the government. This article is applicable to the spouse, direct blood relatives or servants of government officials.
Article 5: Relief for the loss of personal belongings is primarily focused on clothing and bedding. If there is a loss of clothing, the relief fund is 10,000 Taiwan dollars for a set of clothes and the number is limited to two sets, one for summer and one for winter. The relief fund for bedding is 20,000 Taiwan dollars for a set and the number is limited to one set.
Article 6: Those who have experienced particularly severe injury or loss of personal belongings can be granted special relief funding after their competent authority provides the details of the injury and possession losses for further approval on a case-by-case basis.
Article 7: If the issuance of relief funds that are mentioned in Articles 3, 4, 5 and 6 for funeral expenses, for compensation, or for the loss of personal belongings falls under the responsibility of provincial level departments, it should be reimbursed by the provincial government; if it falls under municipal level departments, it should be reimbursed by local governments; if it falls under state-owned enterprises, it should be reimbursed by the enterprises themselves. All the issuance of relief funds should be accompanied by receipts that will be submitted to the Chief Executive's Office for future reference.
Article 8: Applications for relief funds must be verified by the section chiefs and the heads of the departments of all the levels above. If there is any fraudulence, the managers of all the levels who have attested the authenticity of the application will be severely punished.
Article 9: This regulation is in effect from the date of announcement. (Page 370)
On June 15, 1947, all Taiwanese newspapers published a letter written by Yang Liang-kung, the Control Yuan's investigator responsible for the Fujian and Taiwan area, demanding that the Taiwan Provincial Government ban all municipal government officials from requesting donations from private individuals and civil organizations, and that local councils should be prevented from using any excuse to seek donations from the public, which is perceived as extortion in reality. Many government officials used their own position to frame private individuals who did not cooperate. Therefore, the Taiwan Provincial Government ordered that all officials from all departments could not use the losses in the February 28 Incident as an excuse to seek donations from the public. If any officials continued to use their positions to extort money from the public by threatening to frame them, they would be severely punished. The evidence above shows that government officials at the time did use the February 28 Incident as an excuse to extort money from the public. (Page 397)
The purpose of this report is to illustrate the truth of the incident. There is no intention to hold anyone accountable. However, the actions that several key figures took in the incident cannot be ignored.
Although Chen Yi intended to promote good governance upon arrival in Taiwan (Footnote 62) and was trying to use political measures to resolve the crisis at the beginning of the February 28 Incident (Footnote 63), he requested the central government to dispatch troops for suppressing the social unrest (Footnote 64) after realizing that he no longer could control the development of the situation (Footnote 65). After the troops landed in Taiwan, Chen Yi, as highest official in charge of the military administration in Taiwan, could not effectively ensure the behaviors of soldiers and policemen who carried out the crackdown were within the bounds of lawfulness (Footnote 66), resulting in things such as "police and soldiers from the Taiwan Garrison Command resorting to retaliatory measures (Footnote 67) to beat up and arrest rebels" and "the ordering of the special force of the military police stationed in Taiwan to secretly arrest the National Assembly members" (Footnote 68). Chen Yi's approach targeted people who were not involved in the incident, causing panic and resentment among the Taiwanese population. However, in the wake of the incident, he only acknowledged that it was all his personal failure and refused to admit that the policies he adopted were at fault, which of course cannot be forgiven by the Taiwanese people.
Ko Yuan-fen, the head of staff of the Taiwan Garrison Command back then, believed that the February 28 Incident Settlement Committee was a conspiracy (Footnote 69) to weaken the role of the government, therefore he adopted policies of infiltration and divide and rule when dealing with the committee, hoping to punish its members after the incident escalated (Footnote 70). It was clear that Ko Yuan-fen was ill-intentioned from the very start. Pai Tsung-hsi, the defense minister who represented the government to pacify the Taiwanese people (Footnote 71), pointed out (Footnote 72) that Ko Yuan-fen's attitude in dealing with the incident was "he would rather kill ninety-nine innocent people than leave one real rebel at large." The result was many innocent people were killed in the military crackdown, triggering widespread panic among the Taiwanese population. Because of this, Pai Tsung-hsi believed that "Ko Yuan-fen was a reckless and impatient person who abused his office, made many mistakes in dealing with the incident, and refused to reflect on his failure because of his stubborn nature." Pai Tsung-hsi, therefore, suggested that Ko Yuan-fen needed to be dismissed from his position as severe punishment in order to appease the public's anger.
Peng Meng-chi, the Commander of the Kaohsiung Fortress Headquarters at the time of the incident, suddenly resorted to military crackdown at 2 p.m. on March 6 (Footnote 73), preventing the social turmoil from escalating. From the perspective of the government, Peng Meng-chi had achieved greatly. However, from the perspective of Kaohsiung citizens, Peng Meng-chi's decision to indiscriminately machine-gun local people, causing great casualty in local communities, made his status disputable.. After the incident, to people's surprise, Peng Meng-chi was promoted to head of the Taiwan Garrison Command, which caused deep fear and uneasiness among Taiwanese people.
What Chang Mu-tao, the head of the 4th Military Police Regiment, did at the time was very controversial. He first invited Wei-Chuan to mediate the disputes between the government and the public and encouraged him to join the Settlement Committee to proceed with divide and rule tactics. Secondly, when the reinforcement troops of the government's army landed in Taiwan at midday on March 8, Chang Mu-tao continued to lie to the members of the Settlement Committee (Footnote 74) that if the public did not try to disarm soldiers, the government would not adopt any military operations against Taiwanese people. Chang's intention was to reduce their vigilance, so that people who originally wanted to escape would stay where they were. Therefore, these people became easy targets for the soldiers after the reinforcement troops landed. In addition, Chang Mu-tao's military police subordinates also arrested many people at many different places after the rule of military law was declared, causing a lot of controversy. When Pai Tsung-hsi, the defense minister, came to Taiwan to try to appease the Taiwanese public, he once ordered that all the arrests should only be carried out by the Taiwan Garrison Command. However, military police corps continued to arrest civilians (Footnote 75), which showed that Chang Mu-tao's defiance of the order of his superior was very blatant.
Furthermore, intelligence workers in Taiwan were also believed to have misled the government. After the outbreak of the incident, the National Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Footnote 76) both exaggerated the seriousness of the incident, claiming that some people were not purely advocating political reforms, but were conspiring to rebel against the regime, seek Taiwanese independence, and overturn the government. They also exaggerated the casualty of their mainland Chinese compatriots and the number of people who joined the riots. Therefore, Chairman Chiang Kai-shek was convinced that the situation was dire and thus organized the 21st Division to clamp down on the social unrest in Taiwan. Although Chairman Chiang had reiterated that soldiers should not engage in any form of retaliation against Taiwanese people, his subordinates did not listen to his order.
Without doubt, Chiang Kai-shek played an undeniable role in the settlement of the February 28 Incident. Chiang Kai-shek, as the head of the country, was certainly responsible for sending troops to clamp down on insurgencies. However, we cannot ignore questions such as whether or not the decision of military crackdown was made in due process, and whether there were any abuses in delivering the decision. Judging from literature from different sources, what the Settlement Committee did was only to demand a high level of autonomy for Taiwan as a whole, and there was no intention of rebelling against the central government. Unfortunately, Chiang Kai-shek was preoccupied with military operation in the Chinese Civil War and did not have time to verify the intelligence he received. He also blindly trusted Chen Yi and accepted his request for more enforcement troops in Taiwan. All of the above-mentioned inevitably led to a conclusion that Chiang Kai-shek was culpable due to his oversight over this matter. Even if Chiang Kai-shek understood the truth afterwards, the historical mistakes could not be overturned. Furthermore, it was also a shame that some soldiers did not avoid retaliation against the locals and committed breaches of discipline during the military crackdown. Although Chiang Kai-shek repeated his emphasis on military discipline and banned retaliatory activities (Footnote 77), he could not prevent misconducts from happening. In the aftermath of the incident, government officials of Taiwanese heritage such as Qiu Nian-tai and Tsai Pei-huo suggested the government to punish those who were guilty of dereliction of duty so that the public's anger could be appeased. But Chiang Kai-shek did not accept the proposal and left the historical trauma undealt with for a long time, which was further evidence of his lack of consideration.
When Chen Yi arrived in Taiwan on October 24, 1945, he rested a bit at Songshan Airport before he announced his policies, saying that he "came to Taiwan to make contributions, not to be a government official. I have confidence in building Taiwan and resolve to launch political reform and eradicate corruption and bad governance. I demand the cooperation of all Taiwanese compatriots in working on the construction of a new Taiwan." (Page 4)
At the beginning of the incident, Chen Yi did not take a tough stance on it, partly because there were not sufficient soldiers stationed on the island to respond to the social unrest and partly because he as Taiwan's Chief Executive did not want any scandal to undermine his political status and prestige (See Footnote 21 for more details). Therefore, it was likely that Chen Yi was trying to play down the seriousness of the conflict or even gloss over it. (Page 202)
On March 6, Chen Yi prepared a detailed report on the incident for Chairman Chiang Kai-shek and appointed Lee Yi-chung, the director of the Chinese Nationalist Party's Taiwan Province Division, to fly to Nanjing on March 7 to present it in detail to Chiang in person. The letter particularly emphasized that after the outbreak of the incident, the "treacherous party" (Chinese Communist Party) members, pro-Japanese gentry from the former colonial time, and hooligans had taken the opportunity to stir up anti-Chinese and anti-government sentiments. They seized firearms from the army and police and besieged local government buildings, which "showed that it was less an ordinary mass movement than well-planned, well-organized rebellion." Therefore, it should be of no doubt that participants needed to be severely punished. Chen Yi believed that "if he had eradicated the pro-Japanese gentry and had strengthened the armed force in Taiwan when he first assumed the office, the incident would not have deteriorated to the current situation." In order to mitigate the damage caused by the incident and solve the problem completely, Chen Yi proposed a few measures: firstly, in terms of politics, the government should change the feudalist ideology harbored by a majority of Taiwanese people, as well as restructure the Chief Executive's Office into the Taiwan Provincial Government and experiment with democratic elections of county and city mayors, so that Taiwanese people could have more trust in the government. Secondly, "the affiliates of the treacherous party must be forcibly annihilated and must not be allowed to exist." Chen Yi believed that only after the well-trained, two well-equipped divisions of the government's army were dispatched to Taiwan could the government have sufficient strength to deal with the treacherous party members and to exterminate the rebellious attempts to gain Taiwanese independence…The reason many members of Taiwanese intelligentsia were arrested and murdered one after another during the military crackdown could be understood from this letter. (Page 204)
However, the later development of the situation was not expected by Chen Yi. It turned out that the political discontent and economic despair that Taiwanese people had put up with for about a year had already reached a tipping point. The Settlement Committee realized it could take advantage of the public's anger and thus announced a series of demands consisting of political and economic requests, which were found unacceptable by Chen Yi. One