1972 Nixon visit to China

Richard Nixon's visit to the People's Republic of China in 1972 was a significant step to improve diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China. For the first time since its inception in 1949, a President of the United States visited the People's Republic, although they regarded the United States as one of its fiercest opponents.

The visit and Nixon's contribution was in English literally as "Only Nixon could go to China".

Visit

Historical Background

After the Second World War, the Americans saw that the ratio of their country with the Soviet Union deteriorated, communist satellite countries were installed in Eastern Europe and China to communism was just before the crossing. So many Americans was concerned that Communists might cause the decline of schools and unions. One of the main reasons why Richard Nixon in 1952 Vice-President under President Eisenhower, was his strong anti -communist stance. Still, it was 1972 just Nixon, the visit should be the first U.S. President China.

Preparation

In July 1971 attended Nixon's National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger during a Pakistan Travel Beijing. He laid the groundwork for Nixon's upcoming state visit.

Meeting

From 21 to February 28, 1972 Nixon visited the cities of Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai. On his arrival in Beijing, he was to meet with the Chairman of the Communist Party of China, Mao Zedong invited. U.S. Secretary of State William P. Rogers was excluded from the conversation and just an employee of the National Security of the United States was present - the later U.S. ambassador to China Winston Lord. To Rogers not expose Lord was removed from all official photos of the event.

Nixon met several times during the trip with the Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, among other things, on the Great Wall of China, Hangzhou and Shanghai. At the end of the state visit to the United States and the Government of the People's Republic signed the so-called Shanghai Communiqué ( "Joint Communiqué of the United States of America and the People's Republic of China") - a report on their respective foreign policy views. This document was for years the basis for the bilateral Sino- American relations. Kissinger laid down is that the United States intends to withdraw its armed forces from Taiwan. In the communiqué pledged both nations to work towards a normalization of their diplomatic relations.

Results

The United States recognized that all Chinese on either side of Formosastraße stressed that there would be ( one-China policy) is only one China. Nixon and the U.S. government protested once again her interest in a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question, which was approved by the Chinese. The communiqué made ​​it possible for both parties to " cruel questions that the normalization of relations disabled " to have temporarily ignored. These related mainly to the political status of Taiwan and the opening of trade and other relationships. Nevertheless, the United States continued their political relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan continued for some years until it was abandoned in favor of full-scale relations with the People 's Republic of China in 1979.

Nixon commented on the future importance of the visit to the two countries as follows:

"This was the week did changed the world, as what we have in Said did Communique is not nearly as important as what we will do in the years ahead to build a bridge across 16,000 miles and 22 years of hostilities Which have divided us in the past. "

"That was the week that changed the world; what we have agreed in the communiqué here is not nearly as important as what we will do in the coming years: build a bridge across 16,000 miles away and 22 years of hostility that have divided us in the past. "

The improvement of political relations with the Soviet Union and the People 's Republic of China are often referred to in English literature as the most successful diplomatic achievements during Nixon's presidency.

Richard Nixon wrote several books about his international activities and achievements. The last after the end of his political career is Beyond Peace. It deals with the plight of the United States to win the international competition against the communist countries before they are collapsed.

Reception

Journalist Max Frankel of the newspaper The New York Times received the " Pulitzer Prize for international reporting " for his report about the event.

The visit was the inspiration for John Adams ' opera Nixon in China ( 1987).