People's Liberation Army Timeline of Events

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People's Liberation Army

The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...

Timeline of Events

1927

8.1.1927

The Nanchang Uprising marks the first significant battle in the Chinese Civil War between the Kuomintang and Communist Party of China. This day is commemorated as the anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army.

1949

12.10.1949

Chinese Civil War: The People's Liberation Army begins its siege of Chengdu, the last Kuomintang-held city in mainland China, forcing President of the Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek and his government to retreat to Taiwan.

1950

10.19.1950

The People's Liberation Army takes control of the town of Qamdo; this is sometimes called the "Invasion of Tibet".

1954

9.3.1954

The People's Liberation Army begins shelling the Republic of China-controlled islands of Quemoy.

1958

8.23.1958

Chinese Civil War: The Second Taiwan Strait crisis begins with the People's Liberation Army's bombardment of Quemoy.

1962

11.21.1962

The Chinese People's Liberation Army declares a unilateral cease-fire in the Sino-Indian War.

1995

7.21.1995

Third Taiwan Strait Crisis: The People's Liberation Army begins firing missiles into the waters north of Taiwan.

2001

4.1.2001

An EP-3E United States Navy surveillance aircraft collides with a Chinese People's Liberation Army Shenyang J-8 fighter jet. The Navy crew makes an emergency landing in Hainan, People's Republic of China and is detained.