Canada Supports Mainland China, Sends Diplomats

Canada and the People's Republic of China have agreed to establish diplomatic relations at once and to exchange ambassadors within six months. Ottawa broke relations with Nationalist China, which in turn severed its diplomatic connections.

The joint communique issued on Tuesday by Canada and Communist China, announced, "The Canadian government recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. Canadian Foreign Secretary Mitchell Sharp said that his country does not consider it appropriate either to endorse or challenge Peking's position on Formosa.

Sharp told reporters that Canada would vote to seat Red China in the United Nations.

U. S. officials said the decision in part reflected the easing of Peking's relations with the West. They added that this was an important development but would not change U. S. policy on China.

Forty-six nations now recognize Communist China and 67 have relations with the Nationalist government.