Taiwan Straits Standoff

<p>Following the Nationalist defeat on the mainland in 1949 Chiang Kai-shek and his followers retreated to Taiwan forming the Republic of China (ROC). Tensions with the People's Republic of China (PRC) focused on control over a number of offshore islands especially Quemoy (Jinmen) and Matsu (Mazu). Twice in the 1950s tensions peaked during the first (1954-55) and second (1958) Taiwan Strait crises. Today relations between the ROC and PRC depend on quelling tensions over the Taiwan Strait. This work provides a short but highly relevant history of the Taiwan Strait and its significance today.</p>