![]() Rather, it aligned neatly with evolving American and Chinese strategies regarding both one another and the rest of the world. Such a historical re-contextualization suggests that the visit was “simply” a very important event, but one that did not come out of the blue. However, what precisely did the visit change? Was it truly a global turning point?Ī half century has now passed and the time has come to move beyond the undeniable theatrical acclaim the visit produced (and deservedly received) and to situate Nixon’s visit and the subsequent unfolding of the Sino-American rapprochement within the broader context of the second half of 20th century history. What we currently see, and what we have seen over the past 50 years, is the unforeseen but also linear result of the seeds that were planted during that eight-day trip, famously hailed as “The Week that Changed the World.” Unquestionably, it was. Certainly these factors were strong initial catalysts, but they are not sufficient when it comes to explaining fully what happened over the long run. In fact, reasons for collaboration multiplied in the wake of the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. ![]() That the Soviet Union was perceived as a common threat (to the PRC’s security and America’s hegemony), the conventional story goes, provided an additional motive for collaboration. The Nixon visit initiated a phase of collaboration between the two countries that, in spite of recurring difficulties, continues until today. The most populous communist state and the wealthiest capitalist nation had decided it was time to put ideology on the sidelines, recognize each other diplomatically (which, importantly, took another seven years) and (very slowly) let business commence. What happened next is generally well-known. Careers, Fellowships, and Internships Open/Closeįifty years ago, the People’s Republic of China and the United States shocked the world when American president Richard Nixon travelled to Beijing and met with China’s Communist Party Chairman, Mao Zedong.Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition.Science and Technology Innovation Program.Refugee and Forced Displacement Initiative.The Middle East and North Africa Workforce Development Initiative. ![]()
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