Problems which might be posed for Canada, if the United States were to become involved in hostilities over the Chinese off-shore islands, February 18, 1955

This document recounts discussions between Canadian officials regarding the Chinese offshore islands, in advance of their meeting with US representatives. Secretary of State for External Affairs Lester B. Pearson recounted a meeting with US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, where they discussed possible US intervention in the Chinese coastal islands. While the Americans had committed to help the Chinese Nationalists if asked, the Canadian government would not back their requests for support without prior UN approval. Pearson was unable to gauge the level of possible US involvement in hostilities over the islands or in mainland China nor clarify the possibility it would deploy nuclear weapons. Canadian officials were concerned that such an outbreak of war in China could not be localized and the Americans’ involvement could pose issues for other states, including Canada. If the Soviets were to intervene in China against the US, Canadian officials feared that the Soviets would attack North America to undermine the US. Such concerns drove Canadian officials to press for continued development of their continental defence with the Americans. However, they highlighted the need to develop precautionary measures without alarming the Soviets and provoking them into an early attack.