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In 1996, the United States took significant action to curb Chinese military aggression during the Taiwan Strait Crisis. The situation arose when China began conducting military exercises, including missile launches near Taiwan, as a show of force and a warning against Taiwan’s moves toward greater international recognition. The crisis was partly sparked by the U.S. decision to grant a visa to Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui, which Beijing saw as a shift in U.S. policy towards Taiwan and a potential challenge to its sovereignty claims over the island.

In response to China’s escalating military actions, the U.S. deployed two aircraft carrier battle groups to the Taiwan Strait area in March 1996. This deployment sent a strong signal to China that the United States was prepared to defend Taiwan and maintain stability in the region. The presence of the carriers highlighted U.S. military power and deterred further aggressive moves by China, who realized the risks of engaging directly with American forces​
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This demonstration of U.S. naval capabilities helped reinforce its commitment to Taiwan’s security and deterred further military action by China, effectively ending the crisis. This incident remains a critical example of the U.S.'s strategic use of naval power to uphold its interests and support its allies in the face of regional tensions.