724 Chapter 6
international concession, and the Chinese area), where they met French forces (Janu-
ary 6), who were mobilizing in the area and erecting barriers around its concession.
On January 12, Japan placed warships between Shanghai and Chungking. Six
days later the French pledged to cooperate with the British in protecting inter-
national concessions in Shanghai from a Cantonese attack. On February 4, Italy
issued a statement of support for the British policy in the Far East and signaled
that Italy’s forces in Shanghai would be cooperating with the British.
On March 21, fighting broke out. A French battalion on the outskirts of the
French concession clashed with a small Chinese regiment, driving the Chinese off.
The same day, Shantungese troops became trapped in the middle of a Cantonese
siege of on the international concession. British forces opened fire and killed 24
Chinese troops. Italian troops, stationed near the British troops, shot 16 Chinese
troops. Two British soldiers were killed. By March 28, the situation had calmed.
200 UNITED KINGDOM/713 TAIWAN
MID#2007
Dispute Number: 2007
Date(s): October 18, 1949 to November 16, 1949
Participants: 713 Taiwan/200 United Kingdom
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On October 17, 1949, the British steamer Anhui was caught in crossfire
between the Chinese Communists and Nationalists. The Nationalist government after-
ward intimated a threat that it would bomb any British merchant ship heading toward a
Communist port. On November 5, the British government replied by bringing Nation-
alist officials into the Foreign Office. The British informed them that any aerial attack
on an unarmed British merchant ship to enforce their blockade would be considered
illegitimate and unfriendly and the Nationalist government would be held responsible.
Merchant ships continued to travel to the mainland ports under the protection of Brit-
ish naval vessels outside Chinese territorial waters. On November 16, British Foreign
Secretary Ernest Bevin cited the effectiveness of the British threat.
Coding changes: Outcome changed from Released.
MID#2008
Dispute Number: 2008
Date(s): June 5, 1950 to July 15, 1950
Participants: 713 Taiwan/200 United Kingdom
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Chinese Nationalist forces attacked two British warships.