Peoples Republic of China

In 1949 the Communists under the leadership of Mao Zedong emerge victorious from the Chinese civil war. On October 1 Mao proclaims the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. The National government under Chiang Kai-shek withdraws with its troops to the island of Taiwan (Formosa). The US is deeply shaken by the "loss" of China to the Communists. It recognizes the government in Taiwan as the sole representative of China. The Washington government prevents the admission of "Red China" into the UN and imposes a trade embargo against Beijing.

The US and the Peoples Republic of China remain bitter political foes for more than two decades. In the Korean War (1950-53) the two sides face each other in armed conflict. The USSR is at first the most important ally of the Peoples Republic and concludes a Friendship pact with it in 1950. Different ideological viewpoints and border conflicts bring about a break between Beijing and Moscow by the end of the 1950s.

Toward the end of the 1960s open fighting breaks out along the disputed border between the USSR and the Peoples Republic of China. The leadership in Beijing feels threatened by its neighbor and seeks to improve relations with the US in order to achieve a better balance. These efforts are met by a new diplomatic strategy in Washington. The government of Richard Nixon wants to normalize relations with the Peoples Republic in order to improve the US strategic position vis-à-vis the USSR and to safeguard the American withdrawal from Vietnam.

In July 1971 Henry Kissinger, the National Security Advisor of the American President, travels to China for the first secret talks. In February 1972 the "summit of the century" takes place as President Nixon and Chairman Mao Zedung meet in Beijing. They agree to establish diplomatic relation and conclude a trade agreement.

In October 1971 the Peoples Republic of China is admitted to the UN and obtains a permanent seat on the Security Council. Taiwan leaves the UN General Assembly and its government and people have no choice but bitterly to accept these developments. In the following period many US allies, among them also the Federal Republic of Germany, drop Taiwan and recognize the Peoples Republic as the sole representative of the Chinese people.