Page 38 - THE SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL
P. 38
MMUNITY NEWS
Nixon’s visit, despites its immense international
ramifications, did not change US-China relations
overnight. A tedious negotiating process
was necessary before the formal exchange of
diplomatic relations could be achieved in 1979.
In August 1974, when President Nixon resigned,
his successor President Gerald Ford sent a
personal letter to Chairman Mao Zedong pledging
to continue on the path to stronger relations with
the PRC, a policy still maintained by the White
House today.
At this time of rapidly escalating hostility, both
Beijing and Washington alike should turn to the
Nixon-Mao meeting as a guide for how leaders
can leverage both their individual strengths and
broader geopolitical currents to advance
shared interests.
Richard Nixon and Zhou Enlai speaking at a banquet at Richard and Pat Nixon with Chinese delegates at the
the Great Hall of the People. Photo by Oliver F. Atkins, U.S. Great Wall. Photo by Byron E. Schumaker.
National Archives and Records Administration.
35 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
Nixon’s visit, despites its immense international
ramifications, did not change US-China relations
overnight. A tedious negotiating process
was necessary before the formal exchange of
diplomatic relations could be achieved in 1979.
In August 1974, when President Nixon resigned,
his successor President Gerald Ford sent a
personal letter to Chairman Mao Zedong pledging
to continue on the path to stronger relations with
the PRC, a policy still maintained by the White
House today.
At this time of rapidly escalating hostility, both
Beijing and Washington alike should turn to the
Nixon-Mao meeting as a guide for how leaders
can leverage both their individual strengths and
broader geopolitical currents to advance
shared interests.
Richard Nixon and Zhou Enlai speaking at a banquet at Richard and Pat Nixon with Chinese delegates at the
the Great Hall of the People. Photo by Oliver F. Atkins, U.S. Great Wall. Photo by Byron E. Schumaker.
National Archives and Records Administration.
35 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
