120 likes | 503 Views
Foreign policy of China: Taiwan, India, Tibet, Korean War, Sino-Soviet Split. By Anne Schmidt. Major Themes. Relation to the West Relation to the Soviet Union Reasserting Chinese control over their territory India Border disputes Taiwan, Tibet etc
E N D
Foreign policy of China: Taiwan, India, Tibet, Korean War, Sino-Soviet Split By Anne Schmidt
Major Themes • Relation to the West • Relation to the Soviet Union • Reasserting Chinese control over their territory • India Border disputes • Taiwan, Tibet etc • China’s foreign policy tends to be quite aggressive.
West • Long been subject to pressure from USA + Europe (economic etc, also due to weak emperor) • One of Mao’s main goals was to reach an equal economic level as the Western Countries • Cold War influences, being Communist, China feared US • Foreign countries pressured China (USSR, US, Taiwan etc) • Foreigners Expelled under Social Reforms (1950s) • Businesses made to register • Then controlled and finally nationalised and expelled • More open towards west later on (complete change in course) because USSR became threat
Sino-Soviet Treaty • Very close to Soviet Union – their example in many ways • Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship: 14th Feb 1950 (Expired 1979) • Advisors and Economic help by Soviet Union – but help was limited, reluctant and paid with interest • Idea that China should become something like a satellite state (similar to Poland and Hungary) • Returning of the Manchuria territory • Ice free port • Return of the territory (for china) for USSR occupation of Communist
Sino Soviet Split • Change in Government (from Stalin to Khrushchev) tensioned situation • China did not like the opening towards US (fear of Democratic + Foreign influences) • China attacked island before the coast of Taiwan – Soviet Union did not back them • Supporters of North Korea, but were split (split intensified due to Korean War) • Eventually, USSR called back their advisors and economic help • Cuban Missile Crisis – fear of US (and policies by Khruschev) • Later he moved away from USSR, and more towards US
Regaining Control • Historically, China was the main power in the region – other kingdoms had to pay respect • After the young emperor, respect was lost – foreign, e.g. British influence in India, Tibet, Hong Kong, etc
Taiwan • Tensions as remaining Guomindang (Chinese Nationalist Party) fled there • China claims Taiwan as part of their Territory (due to influence of different dynasties) • First Taiwan Strait Crisis 1954-1955 • China attacked Taiwan, expected support from Soviet Union (Split) • Short armed conflict • America had put Taiwan strait as neutral territory • Second Taiwan Strait Crisis 1958 • Continuation of the First Taiwan Strait Crisis • China attacked again
Tibet • Also the claim that it belongs to China • Tradition / history of paying tribunes to the Chinese emperor • Not been unified under Guomindang • 1951 Seventeen point agreement between China and Tibet politicians • Tibet an autonomous region of China • Immediate social changes (land distribution)
India • Border dispute with India, due to historic claims • Border set up by Britain in 1913-14, not accepted by China (MacMahon Line, seen as sign of Imperialism • Border disputed were quieter, then erupted in Sino-Indian war 1962 – China declared victory • Area three times the size of Taiwan in dispute – Chinese took control over the area, and set up an Line of Actual Control (LAC) (in Jammu, Kashmir) • No major clashes during 70s and 80s – yearly peace talks starting in 1981
Case Study: Korean War • 1950-1953, between Communist in the North and other is the South • North eventually supported by China • North invades South(from 24th June 1950) • South supported by US and UN members • People involved: Joseph McCarthy (1908 – 57) • Used conflict to exploit communist issue in US congress
Causes • Many causes, and many countries involved in causing the war • US and Soviet influence – Cold War caused Korean War • Seoul (South) and Pyongyang (North) – indigenous conflict between Koreans
Effects • Neither side won, and Korea still divided after war (Cease fire: 27th June 1953) • Death toll: over 2 mill Koreans • Expansion of nuclear weapons in all countries involved • DMZ along 38th parallel – 140 miles long, 2.5 miles wide • Heavily fortified demilitarised zone • Became wildlife refuge • Vietnam War + Afghanistan said to be partly caused by ‘lesson’ learned in Korea