Written Answer: Kenneth Younger, British Acting Foreign Secretary
Date: July 26, 1950
Subject: The de jure status of Formosa



Mr. E. Fletcher asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far the recognition by His Majesty's Government of the Communist Government of China extends to the recognition of any rights of the Communist Government of China in Formosa.

Mr. Younger His Majesty's Government have recognised de jure the Chinese Central People's Government as the legitimate Government of China, and as such entitled to enjoy the rights of the Chinese State. Formosa is still de jure Japanese territory and there is no Government of Formosa as such. Following on the surrender of Japan, the Chinese Government of the day assumed, with the consent of the remaining Allies, the provisional administration of the territory pending the final determination of its status at a peace settlement.

Not all the remaining Allies have recognised the Central People's Government as the Government of China, and for this reason, and because of the provisional nature of the present administration of Formosa, it is the hope of His Majesty's Government that the disposal of Formosa will be decided, as has always been contemplated, in connection with the peace settlement, with Japan.

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[ source: HANSARD 1803 - 2005 / Written Answers (Commons), 26 July 1950   vol 478   c60W ]

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