3 replies to this topic

[General_Zhaoyun]

Note that any historical event in PRC or ROC before 2000 are not considered "current affairs" and can be discussed in this forum. An current affairs after 2000 or political discussion should go to Dragon Gate Inn.

I remember when I was a university student in the UK in 1996, there was a "Cross Straits Missile Crisis". If I remember correctly, I even join a demonstration organised by Taiwanese Student Association of many university in London (in line with ROC government) outside PRC embassy in London, in protest against missile shooting by PRC.

Tension between mainland China and Taiwan reached a height in 1996 because of the following:

1. Lee Tenghui, then Taiwan ROC's president visited US and even gave a talk at Cornell University, where he used to study.

2. Taiwan ROC holds its first Presidential Election in 1996

3. PRC, fearing that the election would lead to Taiwan proclaiming Taiwan Independence, decided to exercise missile shooting across the straits, in an effort to deter Taiwan. The missiles were shot but landed in the sea north of Taiwan.

4. Bill Clinton sent US 7th fleet to Taiwan straits

The ROC Election leads to Lee Tenghui becoming the 1st people-elected president of ROC. After election, Taiwan did not proclaim Taiwan independence, but Lee Tenghui, who is pro-Taiwan independence, further annoyed PRC in 1998 with the publishing of "Two Countries Theory (两国论）".

I heard from some friends in PRC that in 1996, one could easily hear fighter planes on military exercise in mainland China. Taiwan's military was on high alert.

Does anyone have more historical information about this Cross Straits Missile Crisis of 1996? How many missiles were shot?

[bayonet]

It was a military exercise. The purpose is very clear. To deter Lee to proclaim Taiwan independence, PLAN and PLAA had been mobilized and exercised a series of amphibious mock battles at an island directly opposite to the Taiwan island. The PLA also shot missles at northeast Taiwan strait. The US responded with Two aircraft carriers battle groups sent near the strait. The PLA nuclear submarines left their northern China base and went to the Strait as a counter measure. The tension was mitigated when Lee after his winning of election did not pursue independence.

The PLA had achieved its goal in a certain degree. It had demonstrated its resolve to prevent " the mother land from being split" with any possible cost. It had sent a strong message to the Taiwan leader that " independence means war". The bottom line has been marked since then.

On the other hand, the PLA demonstration of its military strength had exposed serious problems. Its amphibious capability was unexpectedly weak. It could not transport enough personnels and heavy weapons to the beach on one time to post serious threat. What the worse was, its air force failed to cover the amphibious operation even in the middle way. This made the huge landing force an easy prey and had risks to be totally eliminated. The US also found they had overestimated the PLAN. From the 1996 onward, the PLA has done great effort to improve its amphibious capability and the whole build-up. It has grown into a formidable power and keeps growing.

Not sure how many missles were shot in that exercise, the PLA was relatively good at tactical missles. The news reported the missles exercise was a success with 100% hit rate. The PLA's missles were usually cheap and relatively high quality. It was effective especially when used in large groups known as "inferno tactic".

[T98G]

Thing were much more black and white then with the KMT in power and ROC more free than PRC, after the DPP got into power in 2000......

[General_Zhaoyun]

Then: http://www.chinahist...showtopic=17084

...This forum is for discussing modern Chinese history from 1911 till 1997 ONLY.

So can you please clarify what you want? I know its only three years, but that opens up a whole new area for discussion. Or is it to be so many years before (ie minimun 8 years? 10 years?)

The missile crisis took place in 1996, which is in between 1911 till 1997.

The period of discussion is from 1911 till 1997 (predominantly in PRC). For ROC Taiwan, it should be from 1949 till 2000.