In 'Taiwan Straits: Crisis in Asia and the Role of the U.S. Navy', historian Bruce Elleman surveys the situation that has led to the current tensions between China and Taiwan. Starting in 1949, the final phase of the civil war in China, which ended with Communist rule of the mainland and nationalist control of Taiwan, this work explores how the 100-mile wide passage of water, known as the Taiwan Strait has served as the geographic flashpoint between the two nations. Even though U.S. Navy destroyers have patrolled this body of water from 1950 to 1979, it has seen four crises1954-55, 1958, 1962, and, after the withdrawal of the U.S. Navy, 1995-96that threatened to push Taiwan and China to the brink of war. Notwithstanding the role of the United States in defusing cross-strait tensions for some three decades and the cold peace that has settled in since then, the Taiwan Strait continues to be a major source of anxiety for the region and the world.

Includes maps of: Nationalist Blockade of the Yangzi River; Taiwan's "Critical Sea Areas."; Nationalist Controlled Offshore Islands; Typical Air reconaissance Mission over the Taiwan Strait; U.S. Navy's Jinmen Convoy Operations; Missile Testing Zones North of Taiwan; Location of PRC Missile Tests from 1995-1996; 1927 Nationalist Map with "Former Borders Outer Black Line.

The historical origins of the "two China" problem -- The two Chinas, the offshore islands, and the Korean War -- The U.S. Seventh Fleet and the Taiwan Patrol Force -- Debates on the U.S. China policy -- The First Taiwan Strait Crisis, 1954-55 -- American military and financial support for the nationalists -- The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, 1958 -- The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis and Sino-American rapprochement -- PRC economic development, Tiananmen, and the Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis, 1995-96 -- Beijing-Taipei cross-strait tensions and cooperation -- Conclusion: the Taiwan Strait challenge.