nixon visits china and opens up diplomatic relations

had obtained a shaky peace in Vietnam, forged a strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China, and entered a period of détente with the USSR. The foundations of the ‘structure’ were in place. And Nixon’s 1972 trip to China was prelude to one of the most eventful years in American history.īy the end of 1972, the war was within weeks of ending.

Imminent fulfillment of these pledges was signified dramatically by Nixon’s arrival in Peking, which occurred 50 years ago this week. Likewise, Nixon spoke of a ‘new structure of peace.’ would be charting a new path in international affairs that would lead Americans and the world to a new and better place. What he generally meant-and what his audiences understood him to mean by his words-was that he would advance a strategy to ensure that, as the Vietnam war ended, the U.S. In 1968, at the height of the Vietnam war, Nixon campaigned on a pledge to ‘end the war and win the peace.’ Americans generally win wars to win the peace, and so the slogan has always lent itself to interpretation and misinterpretation of the Nixon campaign, along with long-standing inaccurate claims that Nixon also campaigned on a ‘secret plan’ for ending the Vietnam War. (Cover: Richard Nixon shakes hands with Zhou Enlai after arriving in Beijing on February 21, 1972.Was the opening to China the central objective of the Nixon presidency from Day One? I have seen the last thaw, and I hope to see another in my time, and a season of bloom for bilateral relations,' said Liu. 'If winter comes, can spring be far behind? This is how I see the future of China-U.S. assertions that China is a major competitor, adding that the two sides should carry on the spirit of the Shanghai Communique to get bilateral relations back on the track of healthy and stable development. rose above their differences and acted in the interests of the people on both sides.Īlthough there have been ups-and-downs over the decades and sometimes an air of deep pessimism, there's always been a turning point even at the worst times.Ĭhina's Foreign Ministry said the sides' current problems stemmed largely from U.S. It said China and the U.S. should conduct their relations on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression and non-interference in each other's internal affairs despite their differences in ideology and social systems.įrom Nixon's visit to the normalization of relations and the establishment of diplomatic ties, leaders and statesmen of that generation in China and the U.S. For China, one of the most important achievements was the Shanghai Communique. to eventually establish diplomatic ties in 1979. American politicians also thought it would be impossible for the Communist Party of China to make peace with their country,' said Liu. 'At that time, it was believed to be an unimaginable act that would hurt the U.S. However, the decision to shake hands with China was seen as a gamble. At the same time, there was the pressure of the United States-led embargoes – Beijing was in dire need of a breakthrough.Īs for Nixon, he sought to turn the tide in Washington's Cold War rivalry with the Soviet Union. In fact, this major disagreement aroused a kind of vigilance in the Communist Party of China,' said Liu Zhiqin, senior fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China.Īfter several border skirmishes, relations between China and its former 'Big Brother' hit a freezing point. 'There were major differences between China and the Soviet Union in governance ideas and the realization of the goal of communism or the way of socialism. One important factor that brought China closer to the United States for a new start was Beijing's deteriorating relations with the Soviet Union. But then when the leaders shook hands, we felt relieved.' 'So when the Americans arrived, we had to adjust that mindset. imperialism,' Zhang Hanzhi (1935-2008), interpreter during Nixon's visit once recalled.

Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53) and under the U.S. 'We grew up during the War to Resist U.S. It took tremendous courage and political vision for both Chinese and American leaders to end more than 20 years of hostility after their armies clashed on the battlefields in the Korean Peninsula.

Nixon visits china and opens up diplomatic relations