Taiwan's Offshore Islands: Pathway or Barrier?

Following the Nationalist defeat on the mainland in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek and his followers retreated to Taiwan, relocating the Republic of China (ROC). To many it seemed almost certain that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) would attack and take Taiwan, perhaps as early as the summer of 1950. Control over a number of offshore islands, especially Quemoy (Jinmen) and Matsu (Mazu), became a deciding factor in whether the PRC could invade Taiwan or, conversely, the ROC could invade the mainland. Twice in the 1950s tensions peaked: during the first (1954–55) and second (1958) Taiwan Strait crises. During both events the U.S. government intervened diplomatically and militarily. This study will discuss the origins of these conflicts, the military aspects of the confrontations, and in particular the complicated and largely secret diplomatic negotiations—including two previously unknown Eisenhower-Chiang secret agreements—going on behind the scenes between the U.S. government and the Nationalist government on Taiwan.

Foreword v

Acknowledgments vii

Naval Terms and Acronyms ix

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

CHAPTER TWO President Harry S. Truman’s Decision to Protect Taiwan 19

CHAPTER THREE The First Taiwan Strait Crisis, 1954–1955 37

CHAPTER FOUR The Growing Militarization of the Offshore Islands 59

CHAPTER FIVE The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, 1958 77

CHAPTER SIX The Possibility of the Use of Atomic Weapons 95

CHAPTER SEVEN Using Taiwan to Undermine the Sino-Soviet Alliance 105

Conclusion: The Offshore Islands’ Strategic Significance during the Cold War 117

Selected Bibliography 127

About the Author 131

Index 133

The Newport Papers 1

Military and Federal Governmental officials engaged inhistoric or present day study and analysis of the Pacific Rim with particual focus on Taiwan and China relations. Professors, instructors, and students of international relations, Chinese and Pacific Rim issues and the role of U.S. diplomacy relative to the unique issues and conditions presently in force.