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Quemoy
Quemoy , Chin. Chinmen,Kinmen, or Jinmen, Taiwanese island group (1990 pop. 81,479), Taiwan Strait, just off Fujian prov., China, and c.150 mi (240 km) W of Taiwan. The group consists of the islands of Kinmen and Liehyu (or Little Kinmen) and 12 islets in the mouth of Xiamen Bay. The town of Kinmen, on Kinmen island, is the chief population center. Farming is the main occupation; about half the land is under cultivation. Crops include sweet potatoes, peanuts, sorghum, barley, wheat, soybeans, vegetables, and rice. Fishing and especially tourism are also important; many sites on Kinmen and Lieyu are preserved in Kinmen National Park. Kinmen island has extensive fortifications, but the government began removing minefields and demilitarizing the island in 2006.
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"Quemoy." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Quemoy." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Quemoy.html "Quemoy." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Quemoy.html |
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Quemoy
Quemoy An island six miles off the coast of mainland China, which in 1949 the Nationalist forces had managed to defend against Communist encroachment. It became part of the Republic of China (Taiwan), which regarded it as a base for a future reconquest of mainland China, while using the island in the 1950s as a base for guerrilla raids against the People's Republic. Conversely, it was seen by Mao as the epitome of provocation to the sovereignty of Communist China, and a symbol of his failure to extend his authority over all of China. Mao ordered an invasion twice in 1954 and 1958, each time to withdraw in the face of heavy US presence. It became protected by a US-Taiwanese alliance, and was heavily fortified. Nevertheless, in subsequent decades it became a primary focus for Communist Chinese sabre-rattling, with Communist China periodically conducting regular military manoeuvres nearby. The island was under direct military rule until 1992, when civilian government was restored. In 2000, direct shipping links were restored to mainland China.
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JAN PALMOWSKI. "Quemoy." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAN PALMOWSKI. "Quemoy." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Quemoy.html JAN PALMOWSKI. "Quemoy." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Quemoy.html |
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Quemoy
Quemoy kiˈmoi the main island in the Quemoy Islands, a group of islands a few miles off the coast of China's Fuchien Province. Quemoy has been ruled by the Republic of China since Nationalist troops repulsed Communist forces in a pitched battle in 1949. In August 1958. Mao Zedong determined to test American resolve to defend Taiwan by shelling Quemoy and Matsu Island from the port of Xiamen. After several days of heavy artillery fire, the United States sent six aircraft carriers, equipped with nuclear weapons, from the Seventh Fleet to help in resupplying the garrison. The Soviet Union promised retaliatory nuclear strikes should the United States use such force on mainland China, creating the first incident of brinksmanship, several years before the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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"Quemoy." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Quemoy." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Quemoy.html "Quemoy." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Quemoy.html |
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Quemoy
Quemoy (Jīnmén Dǎo), Taiwan An island with a name meaning ‘Golden Gate’ from jīn ‘golden’, mén ‘door’ or ‘gate’, and dăo ‘island’. It is sometimes referred to as Da Jinmen Dao with dà ‘big’ to differentiate it from Xiǎo Jīnmén Dǎo with xiăo ‘little’ which lies to its west. It was occupied by the Nationalist Chinese in 1949 when they were withdrawing from the mainland after the Communist seizure of power. Quemoy is an Anglicization of Jīnmén.
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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Quemoy." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Quemoy." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Quemoy.html JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Quemoy." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Quemoy.html |
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