Record of the Meeting of Consultation Between Representatives of the Canadian and United States Governments, December 5, 1955

At this meeting of consultation, the Canadians repeated concerns that the issue of Formosa and the offshore islands, which appeared worse than earlier that year, could lead to direct confrontation between the US and China. The Canadians had hoped that the Chinese Nationalists would evacuate the islands to reduce tensions and reach a settlement, but this option was no longer likely. American representatives asserted that this issue could not be separated from other issues in the region as China was attempting to extend its influence throughout Asia. They predicted that by withdrawing from the islands, the Nationalists would lose morale and the US would lose international prestige.

These minutes also address topics of continental defence and the Sino-American talks in Geneva.