Taiwan straits standoff : 70 years of PRC-Taiwan cross-strait tensions / Bruce A. Elleman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Elleman, Bruce A., 1959- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Taiwan--Relations--China.

Taiwan.

China--Relations--Taiwan.

China.

Taiwan Strait--History, Military.

Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan Strait--History--20th century.

Taiwan Strait--History--21st century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (173 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

2021.

London : Anthem Press, 2021.

Summary:

Following the Nationalist defeat on the mainland in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek and his followers retreated to Taiwan, forming the Republic of China (ROC). Tensions with the People's Republic of China (PRC) focused on control over a number of offshore islands, especially Quemoy (Jinmen) and Matsu (Mazu). Twice in the 1950s tensions peaked, during the first (1954-55) and second (1958) Taiwan Strait crises. This small body of water - often compared to the English Channel - separates the PRC and Taiwan, and has been the location for periodic military tensions, some threatening to end in war. Today, relations between the ROC and PRC depend on quelling tensions over the Taiwan Strait. This work provides a short, but highly relevant, history of the Taiwan Strait, and its significance today.

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication Page

Contents

List of Illustrations

Introduction Stalemate Along the Taiwan Straits, 1949-2020

Chapter 1 The Two Chinas and the Battle for Control of Offshore Islands

Historical background

The Nationalist blockade strategy

Nationalist-Supported Guerrilla movements

Contested control over offshore islands

Conclusions

Chapter 2 President Harry S. Truman's Decision to Protect Taiwan

The Korean War

America's Pacific allies and Great Britain

US-led strategic Embargo of the PRC

Impact of the American-led embargo

Chapter 3 The First Taiwan Strait Crisis, 1954-55

The beginning of the 1954-55 Taiwan Strait crisis

The US NSC discussions

Requesting United Nations intervention

Discussions over new US-ROC security arrangements

Negotiating the Formosa Resolution

Chapter 4 The Evacuation of the Dachen Islands, 1955

Planning the evacuation of the Dachens

Evacuation planning

DDCAT becomes operational

Evacuation of the civilians

The demolition program

The evacuation of the 46th Infantry Division

Conclusion of the evacuation

Chapter 5 The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, 1958

The gradual decline of the Nationalist blockade

The second Taiwan Strait crisis, 1958

Indirect American support for Taiwan

Keeping the sea-lanes open

Dulles convinces Chiang to withdraw troops from the offshore islands

Signing a second secret agreement

Chapter 6 The US Threat to Use Atomic Weapons

Consideration of the nuclear option

Atomic bombs as deterrents

Tactical nuclear bombs and missiles

Anglo-American discussions about the use of atomic bombs

Chapter 7 Using Taiwan to Undermine the Sino-Soviet Alliance.

Weakening the Sino-Soviet alliance

Soviet eyes are bigger than their stomach

The impact of Sino-Soviet relations on a Taiwan Strait resolution

Growing Sino-Soviet economic tensions

Chapter 8 Taiwan during the Cold War and Afterward

The 1995-96 Taiwan Strait crisis

The April 1, 2001, EP-3 incident

The 2009 Impeccable and Victorious incidents

Conclusions: The Taiwan Strait's Strategic Significance Today

Appendix: Naval Terms and Acronym List

Selected Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 14 Dec 2021).

ISBN:

1-83998-091-5

1-83998-092-3

OCLC:

1272994576