794 Chapter 6
MID#172
Dispute Number: 172
Date(s): January 6, 1962 to December 15, 1962
Participants: 710 China/2 United States of America, 713 Taiwan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: On January 5, 1962, Communist China resumed its continuous bombard-
ment of the Chinese Nationalist held island of Quemoy. The Communists also began
a military buildup in the province of Fukien, and the Nationalists began to worry that
an invasion of the islands was underway. The United States entered the dispute on the
side of Formosa, warning Communist China that it would take necessary measures if
an invasion were attempted.
The last shelling of the islands by the Communists for at least six months occurred
on December 16.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from January 7, 1962. End Date changed from
December 19, 1962. Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#2892
Dispute Number: 2892
Date(s): January 21, 1963 to January 10, 1966
Participants: 710 China/713 Taiwan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 101–250 deaths
Narrative: This four-year dispute began when Taiwanese warships sank a Commu-
nist Chinese gunboat on January 21, 1963, northwest of Matsu Island in the Taiwan
Strait. Another clash followed on February 3. Various incidents followed, including
border violations, threats, artillery fire, and downed aircraft. Most of the conflict was
fought by naval forces in the Taiwan Strait. The last incident occurred on January 9,
1966, when Communist Chinese forces shot down a Taiwanese plane carrying poten-
tial defectors.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 6, 1963; End Date changed from
January 9, 1966. Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#2891
Dispute Number: 2891
Date(s): October 15, 1966
Participants: 710 China/713 Taiwan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: A battle broke out between Chinese gunboats and sea-borne Taiwanese
commandos near the Taiwanese island fortress of Matsu. Taiwan sank two Chinese
gunboats.