What this lesson teaches
I can judge how China's and Japan's relations with the USA and the USSR changed during the Cold War.
Syllabus 8838, Theme II, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the development of China's and Japan's relations with the superpowers during the Cold War
I can judge how China and Japan responded as the Cold War changed.
Syllabus 8838, Theme II, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the responses of China and Japan to the development of the Cold War
Make a guess
In 1972 President Nixon visited China. What do you think brought the two old enemies together?
- China agreed to give up communism in return for trade.
- The USA agreed to hand Taiwan over to Beijing straight away.
- A shared fear of the USSR, and Nixon's wish to leave Vietnam.
Show the answer
A shared fear of the USSR, and Nixon's wish to leave Vietnam.
China feared a Soviet attack, and Nixon wanted leverage over Moscow. Full relations came only in 1979.
Shared fear of the USSR, the American exit from Vietnam and later economic interests brought China and the USA together.
Both sides wanted change by 1969. China feared the USSR. Nixon wanted to leave Vietnam with honour. He also wanted leverage over Moscow by playing the two communist powers against each other. This is called triangular diplomacy.
Signals multiplied. In April 1971, an American table tennis team visited China ("ping-pong diplomacy"). In July 1971, Henry Kissinger secretly visited Beijing. In October 1971, the People's Republic took China's seat at the UN.
In February 1972, Nixon visited China. The Shanghai Communique recorded differences openly. The USA acknowledged that Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait held that there was one China and Taiwan was part of it, and said it did not challenge that position. Both opposed any power seeking hegemony in Asia, a hint at the USSR.
Full diplomatic relations began on 1 January 1979 under President Carter and Deng Xiaoping. The USA ended its defence treaty with Taiwan but kept unofficial ties under the Taiwan Relations Act. By then, Deng's economic reforms gave China a strong economic reason for closer ties with the West.
- Ping-pong diplomacy
- April 1971.
- Kissinger's secret visit
- July 1971.
- Nixon in China
- February 1972: Shanghai Communique.
- Normalisation
- 1 January 1979.
Real examples to use
UN seat, 25 October 1971
The General Assembly voted 76 to 35, with 17 abstentions, to give China's seat to the People's Republic and expel Taiwan's representatives.
Nixon in China, February 1972
The Shanghai Communique stated differences openly, but both sides opposed any power seeking hegemony in Asia, a hint at the USSR.
Normalisation, 1 January 1979
The USA recognised Beijing and ended its treaty with Taiwan, keeping unofficial ties under the Taiwan Relations Act of April 1979.
Worked example: Weighing factors for rapprochement
An H1 essay asks how far security transformed Sino-American relations in the 1970s.
- Security: the Soviet threat after 1969 was the main driver for China.
- US interests: Vietnam and leverage over Moscow drove Nixon.
- Economics: Deng's reforms after 1978 added a reason for normalisation.
- Judgement: security started the process; economics deepened it later.
Watch out for this
Nixon's 1972 visit established full diplomatic relations.
Full relations came only on 1 January 1979. The 1972 visit and Shanghai Communique began the process.
Check your understanding
What did the USA acknowledge in the Shanghai Communique of 1972?
- That it would withdraw its forces from Asia within five years
- That Taiwan was an independent state that should keep its own seat at the UN
- That Chinese on both sides held there was one China, which it did not challenge
Show the answer
That Chinese on both sides held there was one China, which it did not challenge
Right. This careful wording was the key concession on Taiwan.