RICHARD NIXON AND CHINA

1
RICHARD NIXON AND CHINA

• Nixons history of red-baiting and opposition to
  China, which he saw as an imperialist nation
• 1967 article US cannot afford to leave China
  forever outside the family of nations, there to
  nurture its fantasies, cherish its hates, and
  threaten its neighbors.
• Chinese motivations to reduce hostility to US
  enmity with the Soviet Union, India, and Japan
• Mao using barbarians to fight barbarians.

2
RICHARD NIXON AND CHINA

• Sino-Soviet border clashes
• US motivations to ease tensions to use China
  against the Soviet Union and Japan
• July, 1969, travel restrictions to China eased
• Nixon Doctrine US would not use troops in local
  Asian wars
• Ping Pong diplomacy
• Secret Kissinger visit promise to reduce
  military presence on Taiwan

3
RICHARD NIXON AND CHINA

• Nixon hoped new relationship would shatter old
  alignments, speed peace in Vietnam
• UN voted to seat PRC as only rep. of China
• Feb., 1972 Nixon trip to China
• Kissinger US and China were tacit allies
• Dec., 1978, Pres. Jimmy Carter announced
  diplomatic recognition of the PRC
• US-China trade not important until late 1980s