661.9331/8–1249
The Chargé in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22.]
No. 37
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a full translation of the diplomatic note from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered to the U.S.S.R. Chargé d’Affaires in Canton, V. V. Vaskov, on August 6, 1949, strongly protesting against the conclusion of a one-year reciprocal trade agreement between the U.S.S.R. and the “Manchurian People’s Democratic Authorities”.
The full text of the note follows:
Since the signing of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance between China and the U.S.S.R. in Moscow on August 14, 1945,13 the Government of China, for the purpose of maintaining and strengthening the friendly relations existing between China and the U.S.S.R., has earnestly fulfilled her treaty obligations in the hope that the Government of the U.S.S.R. would adopt a like attitude of respect for the treaty and would strictly fulfill her obligations thereunder. The facts, however, are the opposite of the hopes of the Chinese Government. The Government of China repeatedly called the attention of the Soviet Ambassador to China to the instances of non-fulfillment of treaty obligations on the part of the Government of Soviet Russia. On August 25, 1948, Dr. Wang Shih-chieh, then Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of China, again discussed the matter frankly with Soviet Ambassador Roschin and, after pointing out the instances of non-fulfillment and violation of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance on the part of the Government of the U.S.S.R., urged the Government of the U.S.S.R. promptly to correct its mistaken actions in order to promote friendly relations between China and the U.S.S.R. During the year that has elapsed since that discussion, the Government of China has steadfastly maintained its consistent respect for the treaty obligations. The attitude of the Government of the U.S.S.R., however, has shown no sign of improvement, a fact which the Government of China cannot but regret very deeply.
The Government of China has now received a report that the Government of the U.S.S.R. and a delegation of the so-called “Manchurian People’s Democratic Authorities” recently negotiated and concluded in Moscow a one-year reciprocal trade agreement. In the Exchange of Notes (I) (A) 1, for Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, it is stipulated that “the Government of the U.S.S.R. agrees to give to China its moral support as well as aid in military supplies [Page 960] and other material resources, such support and aid to be given entirely to the Central Government of China, i.e. to the National Government.” The so-called “Manchurian People’s Democratic Authorities” with whom the Government of the U.S.S.R. has now concluded a trade agreement constitute a rebellious group attempting to overthrow by force the National Government of China. Furthermore, in the Exchange of Notes (I) (A) 2, it is provided that “the Government of the U.S.S.R. regards the Three Eastern Provinces as part of China and reaffirms its respect for China’s full sovereignty over the Three Eastern Provinces and recognizes its territorial and administrative integrity.” The conclusion of a trade agreement by the Government of the U.S.S.R. with the so-called “Manchurian People’s Democratic Authorities” ignores China’s full sovereignty over the Three Eastern Provinces. It is indeed obvious that such acts constitute an intentional violation of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance.
Therefore the Government of China hereby strongly protests and solemnly declares that the Government of the U.S.S.R. will be held wholly responsible for all consequences arising from the aforesaid violation of treaty obligations and breach of faith on the part of the Government of the U.S.S.R.
Respectfully yours,
- United Nations Treaty Series, vol. x, p. 300; for correspondence on this subject, see Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. vii, pp. 851 ff.↩