740.0011 European War 1939/17598
The Chinese Embassy to the Department of State 58
Declaration of War on Germany and Italy
Since the conclusion of the Tripartite Pact in September, 1940, Germany, Italy and Japan have unmistakably banded themselves into a bloc of aggressor states working closely together to carry out their common program of world conquest and domination. To demonstrate their solidarity Germany and Italy successively accorded recognition to Japan’s puppet régimes in northeast China and Nanking. As a consequence, China severed diplomatic relations with Germany and Italy last July.
Now the Axis Powers have extended the theatre of aggressive activities and have thrown the whole Pacific region into turmoil making themselves the enemies of international justice and world civilization. This state of affairs can no longer be tolerated by the Chinese Government and people.
The Chinese Government hereby declares that as from midnight of December 9, 1941, a state of war exists between China and Germany and between China and Italy. The Chinese Government further declares that all treaties, conventions, agreements, and contracts concerning relations between China and Germany and between China and Italy are and remain null and void.
- Received in Department on morning of December 10.↩