China and Détente

What about China and détente?

China played an important role in the period of détente. The relationship between China and America improved. However, the relationship between China and the USSR grew more tense.

When did China become involved with détente?

China's role in détente occurred in the 1970s.

What was China's relationship with the USA before détente?

America and China's relationship before détente was tense because of 4 main reasons:

• ❖ Chairman Mao, the leader of China, did not trust America.
• ❖ Tensions increased when China joined the Korean War on the side of North Korea in 1949. America supported South Korea.
• ❖ The relationship deteriorated again when America said in both 1954 and 1958 it was prepared to use force to protect Taiwan from Chinese interference.
• ❖ In the 1960s Mao's followers publicly criticised the USA and called them 'capitalist running dogs' as an insult.

What were the reasons for China being involved with détente?

There were 3 reasons why China became involved in détente:

• ❖ China's relationship with the USSR had deteriorated.
• ❖ Both China and America viewed the USSR as a rival.
• ❖ The World Table Tennis Championships were held in Japan in April 1971. The Chinese and American teams became friendly, which improved the diplomatic relationship.

How did China's relationship with the USSR affect détente ?

China's relationship with the USSR had deteriorated, pushing them towards the USA, for 5 key reasons:

• ❖ In 1950, Chairman Mao of China visited Stalin. They signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance, but Mao felt China had not been respected.
• ❖ The Sino-Soviet relationship deteriorated further when Stalin died in 1953 because Mao disliked Khrushchev's policy of de-Stalinisation.
• ❖ Khrushchev criticised Mao's policies in response.
• ❖ The relationship was seriously strained when Mao accused Khrushchev of cowardice in Cuba and condemned the USSR's invasion of Czechoslovakia.
• ❖ The relationship hit an all-time low when fighting broke out on the border between the two nations in 1969.

What were the consequences of China being involved in détente?

There were 2 key impacts:

• ❖ Henry Kissinger, the Secretary of State for the USA, visited China in 1971 and met with the Prime Minister, Zhou Enlai.
• ❖ In 1972 Kissinger and Nixon signed the Shanghai Communique, agreeing a peaceful outcome to the Taiwan question but acknowledging Taiwan was part of China.