The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, also known as the 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, was a period of increased military tensions between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC), also known as Taiwan. The crisis began in the latter half of 1995, and escalated in early 1996.

The crisis was sparked by a decision by the ROC's President Lee Teng-hui to seek more international recognition for Taiwan as a separate country. This move was seen as a direct challenge to the PRC's "One China" policy, which holds that Taiwan is a part of China.

In response, the PRC began a series of military exercises and missile tests in the Taiwan Strait, aimed at intimidating Taiwan and signaling its determination to reunify the island with the mainland. These exercises included live-fire exercises, missile tests, and mock amphibious invasions.

The United States, which has a long-standing policy of providing Taiwan with defensive weapons, responded by dispatching two aircraft carrier battle groups to the Taiwan Strait. The move was seen as a show of support for Taiwan and a warning to China.

The crisis reached its peak in March 1996, when the PRC launched a series of missile tests in the waters around Taiwan. The tests were seen as a direct threat to Taiwan and prompted the United States to send two more aircraft carrier battle groups to the region.

The crisis eventually de-escalated after the PRC ended its missile tests and military exercises, and the United States withdrew its aircraft carrier battle groups from the Taiwan Strait. However, tensions between the PRC and Taiwan continued to simmer and the Taiwan Strait remains a potential flashpoint for military conflict.

The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous moments in the history of the Taiwan Strait, and it brought the region close to the brink of war. The United States' involvement in the crisis was seen as a crucial factor in preventing an all-out conflict, but it also strained relations between the US and China.