The guanbi policy (Chinese: 關閉政策; lit. 'closure policy') or closed port policy (Chinese: 閉港政策) was a military blockade policy of the government of the Republic of China (ROC) against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the Communist-controlled Zone and later, the newly established People's Republic of China (PRC). On 18 June 1949, ROC Government announced the aerial and naval blockade policy along the Chinese coast from Liao River to Min River area starting on 26 June.[1] The application area was extended further southwest to include the Guangdong Province in February 1950.[2]
The Executive Yuan approved another Emergency measure to ban the activities of domestic vessels, crew and the owner companies to the PRC on 16 August 1950.,[3] and the complete naval traffic blockade measure on 12 July 1962.[4] Moreover, the Kuomintang government extended the privateering on the foreign vessels regardless even in the international waters.[5][6]
The New York Times reported that 67 foreign ships were intercepted by the ROC Armed Forces from September 1949 to October 1954, with half of them being British vessels - 141 incidents of interference as per British official statistics.[7] The Western Enterprise Incorporated (WEI) supported by the Central Intelligence Agency acted a strategic role in the operations.[8][9]
Various incidents occurred with tragic loss of human life and property.[10][11] The naval traffic blockade status ended on 12 September 1979,[2] and the regulation on the vessels, crew and owner companies was abolished on 15 January 1992.[12]
^P. M. Ivanov (1996-01-01). Russian-Taiwanese relations: Current state, problems, and prospects of development. School of Law, University of Maryland. ISBN0925153451.
