Global Presidents: Nixon Goes to China
In the movie Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, the character Spock (Captain Spock in the film) tells his old friend James Kirk, "There is the old Vulcan proverb: only Nixon could go to China." The phrase is a reference to the 1972 visit by President Richard Nixon to the People's Republic of China in a monumental diplomatic initiative that marked the first time that a U.S. president had visited there.
At that time China considered the U.S. one of its foes, for for many Americans, the feeling was mutual. For 25 years, there had been a separation between the two sides, something that Nixon saw as not in the best interests of his nation. Even before being elected president, Richard Nixon had talked of the need for better relations with the People's Republic of China. The U.S. did not maintain diplomatic relations with Communist China, because it had recognized the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan as the government of China. Early on in his first term, Nixon and his National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger began sending subtle overtures to the Communist Chinese government about opening up diplomatic relations. After a series of these overtures by both countries, Kissinger went on secret diplomatic missions to Beijing, where he met with Premier Zhou. On July 15, 1971, Nixon announced that he would visit the People's Republic of China the following year.
Nixon visited China from February 21 to 28, 1972. His visit allowed the American public to view images of China for the first time in over two decades. Throughout the week the President and his most senior advisers engaged in substantive discussions with the Communist government, including a meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong. First Lady Pat Nixon toured schools, factories and hospitals in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou with the large American press corps in tow. Nixon dubbed the visit "the week that changed the world."
The visit had tremendous results. A significant shift in the Cold War balance resulted. "Nixon going to China" has since become a metaphor for an unexpected or uncharacteristic action by a politician. Nixon said that there were three objectives for his trip: (1) to enter into negotiations with the People's Republic of China to discuss the peaceful settlement of Taiwan,(2) to work towards a peaceful settlement of the Vietnam War and (3) deterrence of the Soviet Union's sphere of Communist influence after the Sino-Soviet Split. Nixon's critics said that Nixon's diplomacy failed on all three accounts. Taiwan remained threatened by the People's Republic of China, Vietnam was soon captured by the PRC-aided North Vietnam Communists and the collapse of Soviet Union was mainly due to internal domestic economic causes of its unproductive economic system.
But many now recognize Nixon's visit as opening the door to vastly improved Sino-American foreign relations. It paved the way to the strong economic ties that bind the two countries today. It took place because Nixon was willing to set aside his previous anti-communist prejudices in favor of a more realistic and pragmatic approach that put the best interests of his nation ahead of any personal antagonism.
At that time China considered the U.S. one of its foes, for for many Americans, the feeling was mutual. For 25 years, there had been a separation between the two sides, something that Nixon saw as not in the best interests of his nation. Even before being elected president, Richard Nixon had talked of the need for better relations with the People's Republic of China. The U.S. did not maintain diplomatic relations with Communist China, because it had recognized the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan as the government of China. Early on in his first term, Nixon and his National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger began sending subtle overtures to the Communist Chinese government about opening up diplomatic relations. After a series of these overtures by both countries, Kissinger went on secret diplomatic missions to Beijing, where he met with Premier Zhou. On July 15, 1971, Nixon announced that he would visit the People's Republic of China the following year.
Nixon visited China from February 21 to 28, 1972. His visit allowed the American public to view images of China for the first time in over two decades. Throughout the week the President and his most senior advisers engaged in substantive discussions with the Communist government, including a meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong. First Lady Pat Nixon toured schools, factories and hospitals in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou with the large American press corps in tow. Nixon dubbed the visit "the week that changed the world."
The visit had tremendous results. A significant shift in the Cold War balance resulted. "Nixon going to China" has since become a metaphor for an unexpected or uncharacteristic action by a politician. Nixon said that there were three objectives for his trip: (1) to enter into negotiations with the People's Republic of China to discuss the peaceful settlement of Taiwan,(2) to work towards a peaceful settlement of the Vietnam War and (3) deterrence of the Soviet Union's sphere of Communist influence after the Sino-Soviet Split. Nixon's critics said that Nixon's diplomacy failed on all three accounts. Taiwan remained threatened by the People's Republic of China, Vietnam was soon captured by the PRC-aided North Vietnam Communists and the collapse of Soviet Union was mainly due to internal domestic economic causes of its unproductive economic system.
But many now recognize Nixon's visit as opening the door to vastly improved Sino-American foreign relations. It paved the way to the strong economic ties that bind the two countries today. It took place because Nixon was willing to set aside his previous anti-communist prejudices in favor of a more realistic and pragmatic approach that put the best interests of his nation ahead of any personal antagonism.