Central Intelligence Bulletin- 1960/02/17

Approved for Release: 2020/03/13 C03173539
fi ur QDLRD 1
Taiwan Strait Air Clash
fin attack on a routine Nationalist air patrol by Commu-
nist jet -fighters over the Taiwan Strait near the China mainland
on 16 Februaryl I
Sidewinder air-to-air missiles were carried by the National-
ist aircraftl A
.
[approximately 18/ Communist aircraft were in the areaof the
engagement, although only _four of these were seen by the four
F-86 pilots of the Nationalist patrol... One of the Nationalist air-
craft attempted to fire Sidewinders but was unable to because of
malfunctions; another fired two, but missed. _An F-86 was
slightly damaged by enemy fire and one of the Communists ap- _
peared to have been hit, but apparently no aircraft were destroyedj
@_he large number of Communist flights over the Chinmens
and over the Taiwan Strait, along with the 16 February battle,
suggests that the Communists now feel that they can cope with
air-to-air missiles, and hence are less reluctant to engage the
Nationalist F-86$]-‘_
Elie Nationalists fly this route twice daily, and this patrol
appeared to be normal in every respect. The Chinese National-
ists have carefully observed their pledge to American officials
on Taiwan to avoid any provocative actions, and probably will
continue to exercise restraint as long as they believe unilateral
action would hurt relations with the United Statglj
.9
L51; a recent briefing for Hong Kong Communist newspaper=
men, a Communist editor stated Peiping's current line is to
"carefully refrain" from creating military tension in the strait
because the Communists feel this might increase US influence
‘
on Taiwan to the detriment of "peaceful liberatiQn."/
17 Feb 60 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3
Approved for Release: 2020/03/13 C03173539