Foreign Affairs 1966-76 Flashcards
Who was Chen Yi?
Foreign Minister of the PRC from 1958-1972, having served in both the Sino-Japanese and Chinese Civil
Wars.
What were the differing views on foreign relations during the Cultural Revolution (2)?
1) Zhou Enlai and Chen Yi took a pragmatic approach to foreign affairs.
2) The radicals wanted China to encourage revolution in developing countries in Africa and Asia, and to
adopt a confrontational approach to Western powers.
How did the Red Guards impact China internationally, before the purge of the Red Guards in the summer of
1967 (4)?
1) In 1967, the Red Guard occupied the Foreign Ministry in Beijing, destroying many of its records.
2) In August 1967, the British and Indonesian embassies were burned down, with many diplomats badly
beaten by Red Guards.
3) Red Guards attempted to export revolution, sending Mao badges and Little Red Books to foreign
embassies. Attempts to distribute this material in Kenya led to the expulsion of Chinese diplomats. Similar
situations occurred in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
4) There were serious disputes with Burma and Cambodia over the support given by the Chinese to
Communist rebels in the countries.
Explain the border clash between China and the USSR on Zhenbao Island (March 1969) (3)?
1) Throughout the 1960s as relations had deteriorated, both sides had strengthened their forces on the
borders. In March 1969, fighting broke out o Zhenbao Island in the Ussuri River in north-eastern China.
2) Evidence points to China being the initiators of the conflict, with Lin Biao orchestrating it to gain political
advantage for himself in China. By being on the brink of war, Lin Biao was able to stress the role of the PLA,
and justify its growing influence in politics.
3) The fighting only lasted a few days, resulting in Chinese forces being expelled from Zhenbao Island.
Explain the border clash between China and the USSR on China’s north-western frontier in Xinjiang (August
1969)?
In Xinjiang, fighting broke out between Soviet and Chinese forces. The Soviet Prime Minister, Kosygin,
visited Beijing in September 1969, for talks with Zhou Enlai. Although no agreement was reached, the sides
agreed to further talks, avoiding the prospect of all-out war between the two.
What was the impact of China’s border disputes in the 1960s with the USSR on foreign and defence policy
(2)?
1) Mao’s Third Line defence project had been sited in Western China, far from the coast, in anticipation for
an American invasion. The border clashes in 1969 showed that the most likely aggressor was the USSR, and
the Third Line was vulnerable.
2) After 1969, many in the Chinese leadership, including Mao, concluded that China needed to improve
relations with the USA, as a counter-weight to the threat of the USSR.
What was the state of the PRC and the USA’s international relationship before 1966 (3)?
1) After 1949, the PRC and the USA had no formal relationship, with tensions increased by the Korean War,
disputes over Taiwan and the Vietnam War.
2) Some contact was maintained through the American and Chinese embassies in Warsaw, but most of the
talks between ambassadors were angry exchanged over Taiwan.
3) Pakistan acted as an intermediary on several occasions.
How did Sino-American relations improve 1966-70?
1) The USA saw the conflict between China and the USSR as an opportunity to exploit for the global balance
in the Cold War.
2) In 1966, America invited Chinese scientists to visit the USA. China rejected this offer, but became more
receptive to improved relations in 1969.
3) China realised that they could not afford to be at odds with both superpowers, brought to light by the
border clashes with the USSR.
4) Chinese engineers and scientists reported that they needed access to the more advanced technology of the
West if they were to fully exploit China’s mineral resources. During 1970, China, through the intermediary of
Pakistan, indicated to the USA that they were open to possible talks.
What was détente?
A relaxation of tensions in the Cold War (late 1960s - late 1970s).
Who was Henry Kissinger?
He became National Security Advisor to President Nixon in 1968, and was the architect of the policy of
détente, the policy of reopening contacts with China, and was involved in the efforts to extricate the USA
from the Vietnam War.
Who was Richard Nixon?
President of the USA (Republican) 1969-74, negotiating an end to the Vietnam War. He was an outspoken
opponent of Communism as Vice-President to Eisenhower, earning him a record as an anti-communist. This
allowed him to negotiate with China without being accused as a Communist sympathiser.
What was ‘ping-pong diplomacy’?
In April 1971, the USA table tennis team was invited to visit China to play some matches. They were the first
official US visitors since 1949 - ‘ping pong diplomacy’.
What was the significance of ‘ping pong diplomacy’ on Sino-American relations (3)?
1) The invitation was approved at the highest level of CCP leadership, signalling their desire to improve
relations.
2) In August 1971, Kissinger flew to Beijing to hold talks with Zhou Enlai. This visit as approved by Nixon,
but kept secret from the Secretary of State and the US Congress.
3) The outcome of the talks was that the USA lifted their trade ban with China, with preparations made for
Nixon to visit China in 1972.
How did China and America resolve the issue of the status of Taiwan in October 1971 (2)?
1) Since 1949, the USA had recognised the GMD government of Taiwan as the legitimate government of
China, upholding their right to occupy the Chinese seat at the UN.
2) This changed after Kissinger’s visit, as when Taiwan’s seat was debated at the UN General Assembly in
October 1971, and a majority voted for the PRC to take the seat, the USA did not stand in the way. The
Taiwanese delegation was expelled from the UN, and replaced by a PRC delegation.
When did Nixon visit China, and what did he describe his visit as?
Nixon visited China in February 1972, meeting Mao and Zhou Enlai. He described it as the ‘week that
changed the world’.
