China’s Humiliating Defeat That Still Haunts Beijing

In his recent New Year’s address, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a striking assertion: “No one can stop the reunification of Taiwan with China.” As tensions simmer in the Taiwan Strait, Beijing has ramped up its military presence near Taiwan, particularly around the Kinmen and Matsu Islands. These territories, although part of Taiwan, lie just a few miles off the coast of mainland China. This bold show of force highlights China’s persistent drive to bring Taiwan under its control, despite its historical failures to conquer these key islands.

The Geography of Kinmen and Matsu: A Crucial Strategic Position

The Kinmen and Matsu Islands are situated remarkably close to mainland China—around 5.3 nautical miles (10 km) and 10 nautical miles (19 km) away, respectively. In comparison, they are far farther from Taiwan, positioned about 150 nautical miles (280 km) and 114 nautical miles (211 km) from the island. Despite their proximity to China, these islands have remained firmly under Taiwan’s control since the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Their strategic location makes them a continual point of tension between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC), with Beijing repeatedly failing to seize them.

The Roots of the Taiwan-China Divide: The Civil War’s Aftermath

The rivalry between China and Taiwan traces its origins to the Chinese Civil War, which ended in 1949 with the victory of the communist forces led by Mao Zedong. Following the defeat of the Kuomintang (KMT), the KMT-led government fled to Taiwan, where they established the ROC as a democratic entity. Since then, Beijing has regarded Taiwan as a renegade province, which it aims to reunify with the mainland—by force if necessary.

In the final days of the civil war, with the PRC on the brink of consolidation, Mao’s communist forces turned their attention to Taiwan. His strategy involved taking smaller islands, such as Kinmen and Matsu, as a stepping stone before mounting a full-scale invasion of Taiwan itself.

The Battle of Kinmen: A Crushing Setback for China

In 1949, shortly after the founding of the PRC, Mao Zedong’s military launched an attack on the Kinmen Islands, expecting to easily overpower Taiwan’s defenders. Their plan was simple: send two waves of 10,000 troops to seize the islands, with the hope that the Taiwanese forces would be demoralized after losing mainland China.

However, Taiwan was prepared. Anticipating such an attack, Taiwan’s military had fortified the Kinmen coastline with over 7,500 landmines and set up anti-amphibious defenses. The island was also defended by a strong infantry force and armored divisions.

The battle began on October 25, 1949, with China expecting to take Kinmen within three days. However, the amphibious assault quickly encountered severe difficulties. Taiwan’s defense systems, including the landmines, wreaked havoc on the Chinese forces, and their amphibious landing craft were damaged by anti-ship artillery. This prevented the Chinese from bringing in reinforcements. On top of this, Taiwan’s military launched counterattacks, damaging Chinese vessels and inflicting heavy casualties.

By the end of the first day, China had lost over half its forces, and most of its equipment and ammunition had been destroyed. With their supply lines cut off and reinforcements unable to reach the island, the Chinese were left stranded and isolated. By the following day, Taiwan had begun to take the offensive, aided by US-made tanks and artillery. After two days of fierce fighting, Taiwan recaptured critical positions and forced the Chinese to retreat.

The battle ended with Taiwan’s forces securing Kinmen, taking over 5,000 Chinese prisoners, and preventing China from gaining a foothold in the region. This defeat was a massive blow to Mao Zedong’s ambitions and served as a defining moment in the early years of the PRC.

China’s Continued Attempts: The Long Road to Reunification

Despite numerous failed attempts to invade Taiwan and its surrounding territories in the 1950s, China has never abandoned its goal of reunification. Throughout the decades, the United States has been a key ally to Taiwan, providing military support to counter Chinese aggression. While China has refrained from direct military confrontation with the U.S., it has persistently increased the frequency and scale of its military drills in the Taiwan Strait.

In his New Year’s speech, President Xi Jinping reiterated that Taiwan must eventually be reunified with China and made it clear that the use of force remains an option. The growing intensity of Chinese military maneuvers near Taiwan underscores Beijing’s continued determination to achieve its goal, regardless of the setbacks it has encountered in the past.

Taiwan’s Resilience: A Symbol of Defiance

Taiwan’s ability to defend Kinmen and Matsu, despite their close proximity to China, is a testament to the island’s enduring resilience. For over seven decades, Taiwan has held onto its sovereignty, with its military forces continuously preparing for potential aggression. The historical defeat at the Battle of Kinmen remains a powerful symbol of Taiwan’s ability to withstand external threats and its commitment to protecting its democratic ideals.

As tensions between China and Taiwan persist, the situation remains precarious. China’s increasing military presence in the region, coupled with Xi Jinping’s unwavering stance, suggests that Beijing may continue to push for Taiwan’s reunification. However, Taiwan’s military readiness and its commitment to defending its territory remain a critical deterrent. The Kinmen Islands, once the site of a decisive battle, continue to play a vital role in the geopolitical struggle between China and Taiwan, a struggle that shows no signs of resolution in the near future.