The People's Liberation Army (PLA) began shelling the Quemoy Islands, an essential stronghold of the Republic of China (ROC) on September 3, 1954. Under the leadership of then-Chairman Mao Zedong, the shelling was intended as a demonstration of military capability and a challenge to the ROC's presence in the region. This military action marked the start of the First Taiwan Strait Crisis, a series of confrontations between the PRC and ROC over Taiwan and its surrounding islands. The PLA's artillery bombardment targeted military installations and civilian areas, escalating tensions that had been building since the Chinese Civil War concluded in 1949.In response to the PRC's aggressive actions, the United States, committed to the defense of the ROC under the Mutual Defense Treaty, dispatched warships to the Taiwan Strait to deter further escalation. The shelling lasted for several months, during which both sides prepared for potential military conflict. The US also conducted exercises in the region, reflecting heightened alarm over the potential for a larger conflict that could involve global superpowers. The situation was further complicated by aggressive rhetoric from both the United States and China, each vying for influence in post-war Asia.Throughout this period, Quemoy became a symbol of the Cold War dynamics in Asia. The fear of communist expansion prompted a re-evaluation of US foreign policy in Asia, leading to significant military commitments and alliances aimed at containing the spread of communism. The crisis also had lasting implications for cross-strait relations and the enduring tensions surrounding Taiwan's political status, which continue to pose challenges in contemporary geopolitics.