In 1949, after the change of regime in Chinese mainland, the KMT retreated to Taiwan. Against this background, cross-strait relations are tense, and frequent military confrontations have become the norm. Kinmen Island, as the front line of the cross-strait confrontation, has witnessed countless tragic historical moments. 1964 was a year of turmoil and change for Kinmen Island. In the context of the Cold War, the United States supported the Kuomintang and provided a large amount of military assistance, including advanced weapons and warships. This year, a decision by Kuomintang Navy Corporal Zhao Zongli became a small episode in the history of the two sides of the strait, but it contained profound historical significance.
One early morning in 1964, the sky on Kinmen Island was exceptionally clear, the sea breeze was salty and wet, and the sun had just climbed the horizon. Kuomintang Navy Corporal Zhao Zongli stood on the pier, the sea in front of him glowing with golden light. His mood could not be as calm as the sea, and his heart was turbulent.
Zhao Zongli is a native of Weifang, Shandong, grew up in a farming family, and later went south to Qingdao to make a living due to family difficulties. Unexpectedly, as a young man, he was arrested by the Kuomintang and embarked on a military career. Years of military life gave him first-hand experience of the management of the Kuomintang and corruption in the army. He was tired of this life, and his longing for his hometown grew stronger.
On that day, the atmosphere on Kinmen Island was extremely tense, and Zhao Zongli learned that Vice Admiral Cao Zhongzhou of the Kuomintang Navy would come to inspect the island. Cao Zhongzhou, a veteran with high prestige in the military, drove the "Tianshan", a U.S.-aided fast transport ship, which was converted and used as a special ship for senior officers.
Zhao Zongli was sent to the dock and was responsible for watching from a distance to ensure safety. When the "Tianshan" slowly docked, several senior officers were already waiting on the shore, and Cao Zhongzhou's figure appeared on the deck, causing a cheer. Zhao Zongli watched from afar, but there was a different taste in his heart.
During the inspection, Zhao Zongli noticed that the "No. 1279" landing craft that Cao Zhongzhou was riding on was left to guard it because it needed to be docked temporarily. This landing craft, which was a valuable asset of the Kuomintang Navy, was usually used only for special missions. A bold idea suddenly popped up in Zhao Zongli's heart—if he could drive this landing craft, wouldn't he be able to go all the way north and return to the continent he was thinking about?
Once the plan took shape, Zhao Zongli began to look for opportunities. When Cao Zhongzhou and the generals entered the depths of the island to inspect, the vigilance on the shore was naturally relaxed. Zhao Zongli took advantage of the cover of night and quietly approached "No. 1279". He maneuvered the landing craft with ease, and the roar of the engines was especially loud in the quiet of the night. Zhao Zongli's heart also beat rapidly, he knew that once he was discovered, what awaited him would be a ruthless execution.
"Don't shoot, don't shoot, I'm from Kinmen to abandon the darkness and turn to the light!" Zhao Zongli shouted to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) coastal defense in Xiamen, his voice full of nervousness and anticipation. He followed the signals he had learned through secret broadcasts and hung the Kuomintang flag upside down as a sign of surrender.
Seeing this, the PLA soldiers on the shore finally let down their guard and signaled that he could dock after some intense verification. Zhao Zongli drove the "No. 1279" slowly approaching the coast of Xiamen. When his footsteps finally set foot on the land of the mainland, at that moment, his eyes moistened. Years of leaving his hometown and many years of military career seem to have been released at this moment.
The news quickly spread throughout the East China Sea Fleet, and Zhao Zongli's move was regarded as a highly symbolic event. Not only did he bring a precious landing craft, but more importantly, his defection was seen as a major blow to the morale of the Kuomintang troops.
Senior Admiral Xiao Jinguang, Commander-in-Chief of the People's Navy, personally met with Zhao Zongli, and after learning about his experience, it was decided to award him the rank of second lieutenant in the Navy and at the same time award 600 taels of gold in recognition of his patriotic deeds. Zhao Zongli's story was widely spread in the army and became an inspiring story.
With Zhao Zongli's surrender, his life has changed dramatically. From an ordinary naval corporal to a respected ensign officer, his story not only inspires his colleagues, but also becomes a microcosm of the impact of individual actions on the course of history in cross-strait relations. When Cao Zhongzhou learned the news, he was undoubtedly shocked and angry, but he could not do anything about the fact that the dust had settled.
The story of Zhao Zongli is not only a legend of adventure across the strait, but also a profound search for spiritual belonging. His actions, though personal, reflect the deep desire for peace, belonging, and identity in the context of an era. In the long course of history, every seemingly insignificant individual choice may become an important part of changing the course of history.