The First Steps Toward Reestablishing Relations

Changing RelationsThe late 1960s and 1970s saw

a reordering of the world power structure.

Détente was the new view of the major powers.

The period saw the weakening of the bipolar power structure with the rise of China, Japan and Western Europe as economic and military powers.

U.S. – China RelationsThe United States

saw the PRC as totally illegitimate and continued to support Nationalists on Taiwan.

China saw this as American imperialism.

U.S. opposed PRC admission to the United Nations.

Widening FeudDuring the 1950s, the Soviets

and other communist nations supported and traded with China.

Like the US itself, the Americans pressured its allies and other nations not to recognize the PRC or allow UN membership.

In 1964, the French broke ranks and gave diplomatic recognition to China.

Sino-Soviet SplitDuring the 1960s, national

interests trumped “socialist solidarity” as the relations between the USSR and PRC deteriorated.

Split grew into open conflict and near war by the end of the 1960s.

American gov’t saw an opportunity to use the split to the advantage of the United States.

First StepsIn the early 1970s subtle

overtures between the US and the PRC began to develop.

President Nixon began to refer to the nation as the “People’s Republic of China,” not “Red China” or “Communist China” as he and previous presidents had done.

Ping Pong DiplomacyChinese welcomed the change

in tone from the US.China invited the US table

tennis team to China to participate in tournament.

Nixon relaxed the trade embargo with China.

Sec. of State Henry Kissinger took secret trip to China in July, 1971 to set groundwork for future meetings.

Nixon Goes to ChinaIn Feb. 1972, Nixon made a

two-week-long state visit to China.

Shook the hand of Premier Zhou Enlai.

Cameras and journalist followed Nixon’s visit and publicized it to the world.

First time many had seen the closed nation.

Why Nixon?Nixon had strong anti-

communist credentials.Only someone from his

background could pull off such a move.

Democrats had a bad rap when it came to dealing with communism – lost China and Korea.

Benefit to ChinaCounter the growing Soviet

threat.Soviets had increased their

troop presence on the Chinese border.

China wanted to avoid war with either or both (US and USSR)

China wanted to gain entry to the UN.

China wanted to gain trade opportunities.

Benefit to U.S.New balance of power –

relationship with China could counter Soviet Union.

Nixon and Kissinger saw a new multi-polar world that the US could deal with successfully.

US saw opportunities for trade in China’s huge market.

Problem of TaiwanProblem of Taiwan

continued to linger over the opening of US and Chinese talks; US said Taiwan gov’t was only legitimate gov’t of China.

US moderated approach calling for “Two Chinas”

Both PRC and Rep. of China (Taiwan) opposed this plan.

Talks BeginChina insisted that talk

of Taiwan be on the table; US agreed.

US ended objection to the PRC joining the UN; it did so in October 1971.

PRC took Taiwan’s seat on the Security Council.

Shanghai Communiqué Announcement made by

Kissinger and Zhou:There was one China and

Taiwan was a part of it.The two gov’t’s were to find

a peaceful settlement to their differences.

US would remove forces from Taiwan.

China would not try to retake Taiwan by force.

DelaysFull relations were not achieved until 1979.Why? – Taiwan was still and issue as well as

issues of leadership in China and US.Watergate and its aftermath lessened the focus

of the US gov’t.Mao and Zhou die in 1976, causing leadership

struggle.Not until 1978 do negotiations between US

Pres. Jimmy Carter and new Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping do formal relation become a reality.

Full RelationsFull relations between US

and PRC achieved in Jan. 1979.

US ended its official ties with Taiwan (US continued trade and arms sales to the Taiwanese)

Taiwan denounced the move, but continued strong trade links with the US.

ConsequencesOpening of the trade relationship between

the US and the PRC would have major consequences for the world economy.

Other nations followed the US and recognized the PRC.

Japan and China normalized relations, leading to major trade relationship and greater stability in East Asia.