Third Taiwan Strait Crisis

1995-07-21 - 1996-03-23

The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, also called the 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, was the effect of a series of missile tests conducted by the People's Republic of China in the waters surrounding Taiwan, including the Taiwan Strait, from 21 July 1995 to 23 March 1996. The first set of missiles fired in 1995 was intended to send a strong signal to the Republic of China government under President Lee Teng-hui, whom the PRC saw as moving away from the One-China policy. The second set, fired in early 1996, was intended to intimidate the Taiwanese electorate in the run-up to the 1996 presidential election.