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Taiwan Strait Crises

 The Taiwan Strait Crises of 1954-1955 and 1958 were short, climactic episodes in which the People's Republic of China shelled offshore islands between the mainland and Taiwan. (Image, PLA forces on the Yijiangshan Islands during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis)

Popular Documents

October 2, 1959

Discussion between N.S. Khrushchev and Mao Zedong

Khrushchev and Mao discuss current political situations in Tibet, India, Indochina and Taiwan.

October 2, 1958

Memorandum of Conversation of Mao Zedong with Six Delegates of the Socialist Countries, China, 2 October 1958

To the other delegates, Mao discusses their shared goal of defeating imperialism, primarily through peaceful methods. He stresses widespread Marxist reeducation of the Chinese people and increased Chinese industrial and agricultural production as means for improvement. Mao also reminds them that socialist nations must be firmly united under the leadership of the Soviet Union to fight colonialism and imperialism, and while the communes are necessary to organize locally, the party remains the core administrative unite of communized peoples.

September 8, 1958

Speech, Mao Zedong at the Fifteenth Meeting of the Supreme State Council (excerpt)

Mao speaks about the strategy behind the bombardment of nationalist-controlled Jinmen Island in the Taiwan Strait, stating that Taiwan is a "is a steel noose and it ties America’s neck."

September 5, 1958

Speech, Mao Zedong at the Fifteenth Meeting of the Supreme State Council (excerpt)

Mao Zedong speaks about American foreign policy and the tense international situation following the Chinese decision to begin shelling Jinmen Island in the Taiwan Strait.

July 27, 1954

Telegram, CCP Central Committee to Zhou Enlai, Concerning Policies and Measures in the Struggle against the United States and Chiang Kai-shek after the Geneva Conference

In this telegram, the CCP discusses policies and measures taken to break up the US-Chiang treaty, and to liberate Taiwan. The CCP describes its propaganda efforts and efforts to enhance naval and air forces.