In 1958, United States considered nuclear attack on China for Taiwan, US daily reports

Washington/Taipei: In 1958, the United States had planned to launch a nuclear bomb on China over the Taiwan issue, reported a leading US daily. The daily reported that American whistleblower and author Daniel Ellsberg had provided the information on the incident. Over the last few months, the Chinese military has consistently been conducting war exercises with the aim of attacking Taiwan. At the same time, the US and its allies have stepped up their movements in the Indo-Pacific region. The developments indicate that the US-China conflict could spark over Taiwan. Against this background, the revelation about the 1958 nuclear attack plan draws much attention.

In 1949, after China became independent, the Nationalist Government sought asylum in Taiwan under Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek. The Chinese communist regime was constantly carrying out attacks to defeat the nationalist regime and conquer Taiwan. In 1958, China shelled the Quemoy and Matsu Islands in Taiwan, which are recognised as its first line of defence. Moreover, the US started to consider various options to counter China’s attack on Taiwan.

Then US Air Force chief General Nathan Twining and the Air Force commander for the Pacific, Laurens S. Kuter, had considered firing a nuclear bomb to counter China. Besides, General Nathan Twining also suggested dropping 10-15 kiloton nuclear bombs on Chinese airbases. Then General Nathan had planned to carry out nuclear attacks up to Shanghai if the attack doesn’t stop China. After receiving hints of the US attacks, China observed a ceasefire with Taiwan in October.

The then US President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, disapproved of the nuclear bombing. Besides, the US President and few advisors at the White House expressed fears over Soviet Russia possibly siding with China and making nuclear attacks on US bases to counter the move. Thus, the proposal of a nuclear attack was put aside, according to the New York Times.

Currently, the US-China relations are highly strained, and Taiwan is the primary issue. In 2019, President Xi Jinping had openly warned that China would use every possible alternative to conquer Taiwan. Following that, the Chinese armed forces increased their activities in the Taiwanese territory. Moreover, the Chinese warships, submarines and fighter jets have been entrenching the Taiwanese border. Furthermore, China also has stepped up deployments at military bases near Taiwan. On the other hand, the US and its allies have increased their military deployments in the same region to warn China.