Editorial Note
Following the outbreak of fighting in Korea on June 24 (EDT), the United States Government made a fundamental change in its policy toward Formosa. In a statement issued on June 27, President Truman said:
“… I have ordered the Seventh Fleet to prevent any attack on Formosa. As a corollary of this action I am calling on the Chinese Government on Formosa to cease all air and sea operations against the mainland. The Seventh Fleet will see that this is done. The determination of the future status of Formosa must await the restoration of security in the Pacific, a peace settlement with Japan, or consideration by the United Nations.” (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Harry S. Truman, 1950, page 492)
For documentation relating to China and Formosa during the first days of the Korean crisis, June 24–30, see volume VII. Documentation relating to the role of the People’s Republic of China in the Korean fighting is also contained in that volume, in addition to documentation relating to Anglo-American exchanges on the British divergence of view concerning United States policy toward Formosa subsequent to the outbreak of fighting in Korea.