PRC–United States Rapprochement and Normalization (1971–1979)

1. U.S. table tennis team enters China

   Apr 10, 1971Labels: U S, People's Republic

   • US Diplomacy
   • HISTORY

2. Kissinger’s first secret mission to Beijing

   Jul 9, 1971Labels: Henry Kissinger, Zhou Enlai

   • July 1971
   • OurChinaStory

3. Nixon visit to China publicly announced

   Jul 15, 1971Labels: Richard Nixon, PRC U

   • CIA FOIA
   • Kissinger Trip

4. Kissinger’s second secret trip to China

   Oct 20, 1971Labels: Henry Kissinger, Zhou Enlai

   • Nixon Foundation
   • Joint Statement

5. PRC takes China seat at the United Nations

   Oct 25, 1971Labels: United Nations, People's Republic

   • UNGA 2758
   • UN Doc

6. Date for Nixon’s China visit is set

   Nov 29, 1971Labels: Richard Nixon, Joint Statement

   • Presidency UCSB
   • Nixon Visit

7. Nixon arrives in Beijing, opening summit begins

   Feb 21, 1972Labels: Richard Nixon, Beijing Summit

   • Britannica
   • UCSB Chronology

8. Nixon meets Mao Zedong in Beijing

   Feb 21, 1972Labels: Richard Nixon, Mao Zedong

   • PRC Embassy
   • Nixon Visit

9. Shanghai Communiqué issued

   Feb 28, 1972Labels: Shanghai Communiqu, U S

   • PRC Embassy
   • Shanghai Communiqu

10. U.S. and PRC open liaison offices

    May 14, 1973Labels: Liaison Offices, U S

    • USLO Chiefs
    • China US Relations

11. President Ford meets Chinese leaders in Beijing

    Dec 2, 1975Labels: Gerald Ford, Mao Zedong

    • State Historian
    • Ford Library

12. U.S. and PRC announce diplomatic recognition

    Dec 15, 1978Labels: Joint Communiqu, U S

    • PRC Embassy
    • Joint Communiqu

13. Normalization takes effect; relations officially established

    Jan 1, 1979Labels: Diplomatic Relations, United States

    • Joint Communiqu
    • PRC Embassy

14. Deng Xiaoping’s first U.S. visit as Chinese leader

    Jan 29, 1979Labels: Deng Xiaoping, Vice Premier

    • Deng Visit
    • China org cn

15. U.S.–China Science and Technology Agreement signed

    Jan 31, 1979Labels: Science and, Jimmy Carter

    • S T Agreement