Sino - US Relations (1971-72) Flashcards
When did Nixon’s mention changing relations with China and why?
- In 1968, he commented that the US should seek opportunities to talk with China and actively seek to make changes.
- Due to China becoming a developing nuclear power and major political force in Asia
What was the artichoke approach and example?
- Gradual peeling off of restrictions layer by layer, rather than wholesale removal of controls.
- First tentative steps in July 1969, when the USA removed some trade controls and relaxed some travel restrictions.
Who were Nixon’s diplomatic contacts?
France, Romania and Pakistan
How did Nixon use the diplomatic contacts?
(What in 1970?)
- Aim of these was to use their diplomatic connections with China to promote the idea of a US willingness to work towards improving Sino-American relations.
- By early 1970, some initial diplomatic connections between China and USA had been established in Warsaw.
How did China play a part in improving relations?
- Policy shift away from dual confrontation with USSR and the USA and a recognition that the USSR represented a greater threat to China
- Mao’s realisation that there was a changing balance of power between China, USA and USSR.
Why did Mao want improved relations?
Mao did not reject the potential threat of USA, he simply saw USSR as the greater and more immediate threat – made sense to form an alliance with the USA in order to address, in the short term, the immediate threat from USSR.
When was Ping-Pong diplomacy?
April 1971
What was Ping - Pong diplomacy?
- US ping pong team invited to visit Beijing
- Symbolic gesture of diplomacy and foreign policy gesture
When did Kissinger visit Beijing and secret or public?
July 1971
- Secret
What was the agreement made when Kissinger visited Beijing?
Agreement to establish a presidential visit and a Sino – American summit meeting in early 1972
When did Kissinger make a second visit to Beijing?
October 1971
What was the purpose and ending of Kissinger’s second visit?
- To prepare for Nixon’s visit
- Kissinger failed to persuade China to pressurise N. Vietnam into engaging in a peace process
When did Nixon visit China?
Feb 1972
What does Kissinger pretending to be ill when Nixon visited mean?
Secrecy reflected international tensions – PRC hadn’t been recognised and since 1966 and China’s Cultural Revolution, all Chinese ambassadors had been withdrawn from other countries
What were the obstacles to Sino-US rapproachement?
- Ideologies
- US’s role in Chinese Civil War
- US recognising Taiwan’s permanent seat on UN Security Council
- US not recognising PRC
- China mistrusted American detente with USSR
How was Kissinger offering to ease relations?
- Prepared to make a public statement that they would withdraw all US forces from Taiwan
- In return they wanted PRC to invite Nixon to a meeting in 1972 and use this to influence to end the war in Vietnam
What were the geopolitical causes of improved relations?
- Threat of the USSR to China
- Due to conflict escalating close to China they needed to gain superpower support
What was the US agreement with China?
- Each sides points and what they agreed on
Agreed on
- Neither country should seek total dominance of Asia-Pacific region
- Each country is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to seek to establish such dominance. (referring to USSR such as Warsaw Pact)
USA
- Seek peace in Vietnam
- Recognises Taiwan as a part of China
- Affirms its interest in a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question by the Chinese themselves
USSR
- PRC declares that it firmly supports the Vietnamese people
- PRC sole government of China
- All US forces should be withdrawn from Taiwan
Impact of the US-China agreement
- Did not alienate USSR
- Nixon had successfully opened diplomacy with Communist powers
- Did not solve issue of Vietnam
Economic development for China following relations
Start of 1970’s, one of Mao’s priorities was economic developments
- Closer links with USA facilitate this
- Opened US markets for China
When was an agreement met regarding Taiwan and when did they come into effect?
Agreement - December 1978
Began - 1st Jan 1979
