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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, February 21, 2002

Backgrounder: Nixon's 1972 'Ice-Breaking' Visit to China

Thirty years ago today, the then U.S. President Richard Nixon started his "ice-breaking" visit to China, marking the beginning of a normalization process for relations between China and the United States.


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Chairman Mao Zedong Shook Hands with President Nixon
Thirty years ago today, the then U.S. President Richard Nixon started his "ice-breaking" visit to China, marking the beginning of a normalization process for relations between China and the United States.

Accompanied by Secretary of State William Rogers and Henry Kissinger, adviser to the president for national security affairs,Nixon and his wife arrived in Beijing on February 21, 1972.

The late Chairman Mao Zedong paid special attention to Nixon's visit. Immediately after Nixon finished his luncheon following his arrival, Mao met with the American guest in his study. The two leaders had a candid exchange of views on major issues of common concern.

Substantive talks on the international situation and bilateral relations, lasting four days in Beijing, were held by then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and Nixon, Kissinger and some other officials.


February 21, 1972, People's Daily Front Page
Nixon and his wife visited the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs and the Imperial Palace during their stay in Beijing.

On February 26, accompanied by Zhou, Nixon and his wife left Beijing for Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, where they toured the picturesque West Lake.

On February 27, still accompanied by Zhou, Nixon and his wife arrived in Shanghai. They left China for the United States the following day.

On February 28, 1972, the historic Shanghai Communique was issued by the People's Republic of China and the United States of America.

This diplomatic document, which has been of great significance for Sino-U.S. relations, does not conform with the usual style of communiques.

In the Shanghai Communique, the two sides expressed what they agreed as well as what they differed on bilateral and international issues.

Both Nixon's visit to China and the Shanghai Communique became a milestone in Sino-U.S. relations, laying a foundation for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and further development of bilateral relations.





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