792 Chapter 6
would continue to protect Formosa from Communist attack. This change in foreign
policy was seen as overt support for the Nationalist forces to attempt to take back
the mainland. On February 9, the United States (in support of Nationalist forces)
threatened to blockade China and use force if necessary in defense of Formosa. The
Nationalist leader, Chiang, also began making claims that the time of his attack was
drawing near.
Through the summer of 1953, Chiang continued making threats of an imminent
attack and calling for the joint invasion of Communist China by the US and Nationalist
forces. While the United States did not make plans for war, it offered military training
to Nationalist forces. In January 1954, Chinese prisoners of war, who were released by
South Korea on the grounds that they would fight the Communists, arrived in Formosa
and were added to the Nationalist army. In May 1954, China issued a warning to the
United States to end its involvement in Formosa and withdraw its advisers.
Russia became involved in the dispute in June 1954 after one of its tankers
was seized. The Soviets accused the United States of capturing the tanker, but the
Nationalist forces took responsibility. Russia remained militarily and diplomatically
involved from June to August 1954. Continuous action between the United States,
Taiwan, and China was reported through the summer of 1954, and large-scale fight-
ing took place during most of September 1954. Attacks, raids, threats, and blockades
continued through 1955 until February 1956.
Coding changes: Dropped from the dispute: 732 South Korea. Start Date changed
from February 11, 1953. End Date changed from January 19, 1956. Outcome changed
from Unclear.
MID#2987
Dispute Number: 2987
Date(s): August 27, 1954 to November 27, 1955
Participants: 713 Taiwan/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 26–100 deaths
Narrative: There were several attacks and clashes between the Communist Chinese
on the mainland and the Nationalist Chinese on Formosa.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from August 24, 1954. Fatalities changed from
None.
MID#2986
Dispute Number: 2986
Date(s): January 27, 1956 to May 6, 1957
Participants: 713 Taiwan/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Tensions between China and Taiwan had been great since Chiang Kaishek
and the Nationalists fled the mainland and established their headquarters on the island
of Formosa. Each state wished to take back the other, and militarized incidents were