Oral Answer: Sir Anthony Eden
Date: January 31, 1955
Subject: The Formosa (Situation)



Mr. Sorensen asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further statement he has to make in respect of the situation on the South-East China coast; and what progress has been made towards securing a suspension of hostilities in that area.

Mr. Bence asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the official talks in progress between Britain, New Zealand, and the United States of America on the situation existing between the Chinese Government and Chiang Kai-shek.

Sir A. Eden The question of the fighting in the Formosa Straits is to be considered by the Security Council today, and it would not be right that I should comment further on the situation, beyond recalling that the first concern of Her Majesty's Government is to find a way to stop the fighting. This was also the purpose of the New Zealand Government in bringing the matter to the attention of the Security Council. Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom supported that initiative and, with the agreement of the New Zealand Government, informed the Soviet and Chinese Governments in advance of its purpose and urged them to co-operate. The Soviet Government have now brought before the Security Council a separate proposal of their own.

Her Majesty's Government remain convinced that a solution will not be found through attempts to apportion blame or to oblige one side or the other to give up what they regard as their rights or essential interests. They will, however, do everything in their power to promote agreement so that the fighting is stopped in this inflammable situation.

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[ source: HANSARD 1803 - 2005 / Commons Sitting, 31 January 1955   vol 536   cc683-5 ]

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