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The United States and China. The First Steps Toward Reestablishing Relations. Changing Relations. The late 1960s and 1970s saw a reordering of the world power structure. Détente was the new view of the major powers.
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The United States and China The First Steps Toward Reestablishing Relations
Changing Relations • The 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 Relations • The 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 Feud • During 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 Split • During 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 Steps • In 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 Diplomacy • Chinese 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 China • In 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 China • Counter 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 Taiwan • Problem 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 Begin • China 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.
Delays • Full 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 Relations • Full 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.
Consequences • Opening 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.
