Major States 953
Narrative: Chinese fighters shot down a US Navy patrol plane off the Chinese coast.
The American search and rescue mission was performed with air cover from fighter
planes the next day.
Coding changes: Fatalities changed from None.
MID#2049
Dispute Number: 2049
Date(s): June 12, 1957
Participants: 2 United States of America, 713 Taiwan/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: On June 12, 1957, a US fighter jet was on a routine training mission when
it veered slightly off course and received antiaircraft fire from Communist Chinese
ground forces. The plane was slightly damaged and retreated back to its carrier, the
USS Hornet. The Hornet responded by sending four additional jets into Chinese air-
space above the city of Swatow, accompanied by several Taiwanese fighter jets. Two
of the Taiwanese fighters were shot down after all response jets took fire. The US State
Department issued a statement the next day saying that it was contemplating no action
against Communist China. Taiwan issued a statement accusing China of making the
attack purposefully to increase tensions in the Far East and complicate attempts at the
liberation of the people of Taiwan.
Coding changes: End Date changed from June 13, 1957. Fatalities changed from
Missing.
MID#173
Started in July 1958. See the narrative in the 710 China/713 Taiwan dyad dispute
list.
MID#2002
Dispute Number: 2002
Date(s): May 21, 1960 to May 30, 1960
Participants: 2 United States of America/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The United States sent 120 planes to train in Southeast Asia. Though the
United States claimed the exercise had been planned for six months, the move was
unusual, came immediately after a failed summit, and, according to most accounts,
was a move to “head off any possibility of Communist Chinese military actions in the
wake of the collapse of the summit meeting.”
Coding changes: Start Date changed from May 27, 1960. End Date changed from
May 27, 1960.