Present Status of Formosa

Abstract

The present military and political conditions in China render it unlikely that the legal status of Formosa will be resolved by applying the principles of international law. There have been several significant factors that have precluded the possibility of a peaceful solution to the problem. Foremost is the inflexible positions taken by Taipei and Peiping in the controversy. Each entity has claimed title to the island on the basis that it is the rightful government of China. As a logical consequence, the rival entities have adamantly refused to recognize the existence of the other. Under such conditions, negotiations of any kind are not possible. The second factor is that the United Nations is closely linked to the legal status of Formosa. As a matter of fact, neither the Nationalist Government nor the Chinese Communists recognize the existence of a problem concerning the status of Formosa. According to Taipei and Peiping, the island is an integral part of China. A third factor that has prevented a peaceful solution to the problem has been the reluctance of the Allied Powers to carry out the commitments made to the Republic of China in the Cairo Declaration.