800.796/677
The Department of State to the Chinese Embassy
Aide-Mémoire
The Chinese Embassy is informed that the United States Government has been approached by the British and Canadian Governments with the suggestion that exploratory conversations be held in order to exchange views on the subject of post-war aviation, with particular reference to the development of international air transportation. This Government has agreed to participate in such preliminary discussions, which are expected to take place shortly.
It is thought that the Chinese Government might also be interested in entering into such discussions with the United States Government, and there is enclosed a proposed agenda69 covering basic points which this Government feels would offer a suitable basis for these conversations. The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has also been invited to enter into such discussions and has indicated its desire to do so. It is possible that invitations will likewise be extended to a few other governments shortly after the exploratory discussions have been completed or are under way, and that a United Nations civil aviation conference might be held later in the year as the result of basic understandings arrived at between the countries participating in the preliminary talks.
The United States Government contemplates that the first talks will be in the nature of bilateral exchanges of views between this Government and the other participating governments, respectively, with a summary of the results of these talks furnished to each of the other governments participating in such bilateral conversations.
The United States Government will be pleased to learn whether or not the Chinese Government would be interested in joining in such discussions in Washington, and the approximate date which it would find convenient to begin the talks.