I recently read the book Nixon and Mao, the Week that Changed the World, by Margarat MacMillan. This book highlights the remarkable and surprising trip by Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon to China in 1972. The author makes the successful argument that this visit prompted a series of changes. Specifically, the United States and China for mutually pragmatic reasons decided to forsake close to thirty years of hostility. Instead, over time, these two nations forged a close military relationship and developed interlocking business ties. The success of these efforts helped undermine the hegemony of the Soviet Union for the later could not militarily cope with two strong adversaries. Furthermore, throughout the Iron Curtain, the restive populations learned of the benefits of cooperating with a major capitalistic power and ultimately chose to replace their stagnating communistic economic and political systems.

In essence, America’s reconciliation with China was possibly America’s greatest diplomatic accomplishment during the Cold War. That is, we recognized that forming a good working relationship with a communist nation was in our best interest, despite major social, religious, political, and economic differences.

 

The success of Nixon and Kissinger’s trip was indeed a close call. Throughout the week, there was significant tension between these longtime adversaries, especially over the status of Taiwan. That is, China wanted us to abandon Taiwan, and force a reunification of Taiwan with China. While Nixon and Kissinger were willing to forego our historic military alliances with Taiwan, for domestic political reasons they could not acquiesce to a Chinese forcible annexation of Taiwan. It took tremendous diplomatic skill on the part of the Chinese Chou En-lai and our national security advisor Henry Kissinger to work out ambiguous language that allowed both sides to be comfortable with a communiqué that put a positive spin on the meeting. Stated differently, despite many toasts of friendship, both sides were deeply suspicious of each other. Moreover, both the Chinese and the Americans had to overcome longstanding objections by key supporters within their respective sides.

On the personal side, the four key men—Mao, Chou En-Lai, Richard Nixon, and Henry Kissinger—had many significant character flaws. Each one throughout his career showed callousness toward supporters. Stated differently, for personal gain, each of these men acted totally selfishly to advance their careers. In the case of Mao and Chou En-Lai, they even acquiesced to the killing of former friends. Critics of Kissinger claimed he treated them like mushrooms. First of all, he kept them in the dark. Secondly, he poured shit on them, and lastly, he canned them.

The author gives the reader a good understanding of why China and the United States ultimately renounced their thirty-year acrimonious relationship. In the case of China, they were concerned about the military ambitions of the Soviet Union. These two communist goliaths had engaged in military confrontations along their common border for several years, encouraging China to believe that the Soviet Union was considering a nuclear attack on her. On the other hand, the United States was anxious for help in extricating herself from Vietnam, and felt China could positively intervene with the North Vietnamese. In fact, China had little influence over the North Vietnamese and specifically announced their unwillingness to interfere in the Vietnam War. On the other hand, China ultimately reduced communist military commitments in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other parts of Asia. Thus, communist take-over of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia was the primary fallout of our failed Vietnam policy.

In regard to Taiwan, the United States and China have worked out to date a successful understanding. That is, while the United States has accepted in principle the ultimate reunification of these two countries, we have persuaded the Chinese until now to employ peaceful means to accomplish their goal.

In conclusion, I would encourage you to read this book. In our current bleak world, it is nice to know that antagonists can work out differences peacefully.