Why nixon went to china

In Vietnam, the Soviets, not the Chinese, had become the most significant supporters of the North Vietnamese regime. And the war in Vietnam was not going well. The American people were impatient for an end to the conflict, and it was becoming increasingly apparent that the United States might not be able to save its ally, South Vietnam, from its communist aggressors.

The American fear of a monolithic communist bloc had been modified, as a war of words—and occasional border conflicts—erupted between the Soviet Union and the PRC in the s. In fact, Nixon was scheduled to travel to meet Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev shortly after completing his visit to China.

The United States could use closer diplomatic relations with China as leverage in dealing with the Soviets, particularly on the issue of Vietnam. In addition, the United States might be able to make use of the Chinese as a counterweight to North Vietnam. Despite their claims of socialist solidarity, the PRC and North Vietnam were, at best, strongly suspicious allies.

But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Security for the visit was of huge concern. The hosts had to ensure the visit would go smoothly without any unexpected incidents; they also wanted to prevent inquisitive Americans from finding out too much about this mysterious country.

As the visit loomed, a big security operation was staged in the capital, with many people classified as "class enemies" put under house arrest or surveillance. There were also reports of school and work hours being extended in Beijing to make sure not too many people would be outside before eight in the evening.

Back at my school, my teacher recalls that all the staff were told to look after or control their own classes so there would be no trouble in the streets. She also remembers that a student from another class was arrested simply for carrying a knife.

Some students were also told how to deal with foreign journalists who might ask tricky questions such as, "Where is Marshall Lin Biao? The former Communist Party leader and Mao's chosen successor had fled China and died in a plane crash in Mongolia. Students were told this was "still top secret and not to be revealed to foreigners". Other queries they prepared for included: "Do you have enough to eat and wear?

Students could pretend they didn't understand the questions, or just run away. In order to create a friendly and orderly atmosphere, neighbourhoods were given a thorough clean-up, with unsuitable slogans and quotations removed and new ones more fit for the occasion put up to replace them.

Truckloads of supplies were ferried to shops to fill the shelves, with a wider variety of goods on offer than usual. Much of the interaction between the Nixon party and "normal" Chinese people also appeared to be staged by Beijing.

He observed on Nixon's trip to the Great Wall on 24 February that "strategically placed atop of the Great Wall in his path was a group of 'typical' tourists who could just happen to be on hand for a cordial greeting before the cameras and to allow a smartly dressed young woman to extend a special hand of welcome".

It turns out that these "tourists" were especially chosen to perform this political task. In , a man writing for the Phoenix News website said that he was working in a small factory when he was asked to pick 10 politically reliable people to take part in an event. Close Search Search. Sources and Methods. Explore More. External link. Blog post.

By Laura Deal on February 21, When Nixon went to China, hed affirms it was one country. Third, we will, to the extent we are able, use our influence to discourage Japan from moving into Taiwan as our presence becomes less, and also discourage Japan from supporting a Taiwan independence movement… The fourth point is that we will support any peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue that can be worked out.

Later in their conversation , Nixon frankly laid out his domestic political calculus on Taiwan: Now, the Prime Minister [Zhou Enlai] as a sophisticated observer of the American political scene, could very well interpret what I have said as being a self-serving statement, and solely devoted to assuring my political survival.

About the Author. Previous Next External link. By Martin Coles on October 12, In June , Nixon stunned the world when he announced he would go to China to meet with Mao. Buckley Jr. On February 21, , Nixon was greeted in Beijing by Zhou Enlai and met with Mao for several hours, discussing the pathway to normalized relations.

Then he toured the country and met with prominent Chinese leaders. On returning from the trip, Nixon immediately reported to a joint session of Congress. His approval ratings shot up, making it clear that the American public approved of his historic trip. Zhou Enlai died in early and Mao a few months later, and Chiang Kai-shek was gone too. It is unclear what it had achieved for the United States, which, in the ensuing years, faced a government in China often opposed to its interests in Asia and elsewhere.

All the following were major issues the United States and China needed to deal with before they could open normal diplomatic relations except. Both sides view bilateral trade as another area from which mutual benefit can be derived, and agreed that economic relations based on equality and mutual benefit are in the interest of the peoples of the two countries.

They agree to facilitate the progressive development of trade between their two countries. The two sides agreed that they will stay in contact through various channels, including the sending of a senior US representative to Peking from time to time for concrete consultations to further the normalization of relations between the two countries and continue to exchange views on issues of common interest. The two sides expressed the hope that the gains achieved during this visit would open up new prospects for the relations between the two countries.

They believe that the normalization of relations between the two countries is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American peoples but also contributes to the relaxation of tension in Asia and the world. Dallek, Robert. Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power. New York: Harper, MacMillan, Margaret.