The 1995 visa that nearly ignited a global conflict
In short: When the United States granted a tourist visa to Taiwan’s President Lee Teng-hui, it broke a long-standing diplomatic precedent. What followed was a high-stakes cycle of missile launches, massive amphibious exercises, and a naval standoff that brought the world to the brink of war.
The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis (1995–1996) was ignited by a diplomatic reversal in May 1995. After previously denying President Lee Teng-hui a visa during a 1994 stopover in Honolulu, the U.S. State Department relented following intense Congressional pressure. The House passed a resolution 396 to 0 on May 2, and the Senate followed 97 to 1 on May 9. This allowed Lee to visit his alma mater, Cornell University, in June 199 and deliver a speech on Taiwan's democratization.
Beijing viewed Lee’s 'autonomist' stance and his calls for Taiwan's UN admission as a direct challenge to the 'One China' principle. In response, the People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.) launched a multi-stage coercive campaign. In July 1995, the Second Artillery Corps conducted missile tests near Taiwan, including Dongfeng-15 missiles launched 70 nautical miles from the coast. By 1996, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) intensified its pressure with large-scale amphibious landing exercises on Dongshan Island and further missile launches to intimidate voters ahead of the March 1996 presidential election.
The United States responded by deploying two aircraft carrier battle groups, led by the USS Nimitz and USS Independence, to signal its commitment to regional stability. While the P.R.C. sought to erode support for Lee and coerce the U.S. into ending its tacit support for Taiwan, the crisis eventually de-escalated after the military exercises concluded. However, the event served as a turning point for the PLA, which recognized a critical need to modernize its forces to counter advanced naval capabilities like aircraft carriers.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Taiwan Strait crises | History, Facts, Map, & Significance | Britannica
- Also: Third Taiwan Strait Crisis
- Also: Visualization: Third Taiwan Strait Crisis - Taiwan Security Monitor
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