History of American presidents’ visits to China and how they affect the bilateral relations
The history of American presidents visiting China is a significant aspect of U.S.-China relations, which have evolved over the years.
These presidential visits reflect the evolving nature of U.S.-China relations, encompassing periods of cooperation, competition, and confrontation across a wide range of issues, from trade and economics to security and human rights.
Richard Nixon (1972):
President Richard Nixon’s visit to China in February 1972 marked a historic turning point in U.S.-China relations. It was the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to the People’s Republic of China. Nixon’s visit led to the Shanghai Communique, which laid the groundwork for normalized relations between the two countries.
The communique acknowledged the “One China” policy and paved the way for diplomatic recognition in 1979. This visit initiated a process of detente and cooperation between the United States and China during the Cold War.
Jimmy Carter (1979):
