History of the Republic of China its remaining islands in Fujian as vital for any future campaign to defeat the PRC and retake mainland China. On 3 September 1954, the First Taiwan Strait Crisis began when the PLA started shelling Quemoy and threatened to take the Dachen Islands. On 20 January 1955, the PLA took nearby Yijiangshan Island, with the entire ROC garrison of 720 troops killed or wounded defending the island. On January 24 of the same year, the United States Congress passed the Formosa Resolution authorizing the President to defend the ROC's offshore islands. The First Taiwan Straits crisis ended in March 1955 when
Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents differences, such as a different color scheme. Newer permits are also valid for 5 years. This entry permit serves also as the "de facto" ID card for ROC nationals who are residents of Taiwan in Mainland China. As a result, the permit can be accepted in cases of real estate purchasing, banking, medical treatment, insurance, employment, and more. Due to its usage as an ID card and the increasing instances of Taiwanese's long-time stay and settlement in Mainland China, the Taiwan Affairs Office announced that effective from 24 September 2008, the serial number of Mainland travel permit for Taiwan residents