The site of the 'Xi'an Incident'. An important episode of Chinese modern history, taking place during the Chinese Civil War between the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) and the rebel Chinese Communist Party (CCP). On 12 December 1936, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the KMT was suddenly arrested and kidnapped. Following the Incident
Chiang left China and eventually moved the government to Taipei, Taiwan, where he formally resumed his duties as president on March 1, 1950.