Cold War in 1945, the Second World

Cold War

In 1945, the Second World War ended, causing the Nationalists and Communists of China to engage in a civil war which could not be controlled by any people who tried to intercede. This civil war caused the Chinese people to be engulfed in their own issues for the next four years that they were not affected by the ongoing Soviet-American tension. In the year 1949 however, the Communist party in China defeated its rival and therefore established the People's Republic of China. The first conflict that it had to face from the American side was that the U.S. did not recognize the communist republic and only recognized the Republic of China which was a Nationalist Government set in Taiwan.

From 1950 to 1953, the People's Republic of China, generally known as PRC, fought against the Americans the Korean War. As an outcome, Chinese-Americans were seen to be favoring their native land and were potentially to be driven out. Therefore, these people had to cut their contact with the republic.

For a few years after the PRC became established, the Soviet Union was its greatest ally and China was promised aid in industrialization, boosting the republic's expectations. However, the actual work was not as much as expected, thus causing strain to the Sino-Soviet relations during the 1960s. At the same time, the American's passed the Immigration Act, which allowed Chinese people and families to immigrate to the United States for the first time in history. This was perhaps the first act that improved relations between the two countries.

In 1966, again, the relations deteriorated because of the Cultural Revolution by Mao Zedong to finish any nationalism within the country and to spread the communist beliefs. This revolution did not cover much ground productively and went on for about ten years, although it was declared to be over in 1969. Following these event, there was also a strain in relations with the Soviet Union, which was seen as a great threat to China. This may have been a cause of the change in events for China and the U.S. (Cohhen et al. 2000)

In 1971, what is known as the Ping Pong Diplomacy, occurred. The U.S. table tennis was in Japan in 1971, practicing for the games. During this time, one American player, Glenn Cowan, when a Japanese man came to the close the table tennis court. Cowan then realized that he had missed his bus. At the same time, a Chinese player waved to him, offering a ride in their own bus. After a while on the bus, a Chinese player, Zhaung Zedong went up to Cowan and spoke to him on friendly terms through an interpreter. Later, Zedong gave him a silk portrait of the Huangshan Mountains which was highly appreciated. All of this caught the attention of news reporters, eager to ask of the ongoing events. (Cohhen et al. 2000)

That year again the U.S. team had requested to come to China but the Chinese Government declined their offer as usual. However, when Mao Zedong read of this news, he appreciated the Chinese player's act and further, invited the U.S. team to China. This act improved Sino-American relations greatly.

As an aim improve relation, President Nixon's National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger, visited China in July, 1971 and made way for the president's visit in the next year. Nixon held several meetings with Chinese leaders and covered much ground and even passed the Shanghai Communique, which included foreign policy. In this, both countries agreed to normalize diplomatic policy. It was also mentioned that the U.S. forces in Taiwan would be withdrawn. This way, President Nixon took advantage of improved relations after the ping pong diplomacy and visited China to improve diplomatic relations.