Sino-US Relations 1947-49 Notes

Key Questions

1. What events led to hostility between China and the US between 1949-1960?
2. Why did relations improve after 1960?
3. To what extent had relations improved by 1979?

1. Early Hostility and the Impact of the Chinese Civil War (1947–1949)

1. Between 1947 and 1949, the USA supported the Nationalist (Guomindang) government led by Chiang Kai-shek, providing financial aid, military equipment, and diplomatic backing.
2. The American government viewed the Chinese Civil War through the lens of containment, fearing the spread of communism in Asia.
3. When Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) won the war and proclaimed the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, the USA refused to recognise the new communist government.
4. The USA instead recognised Taiwan as the legitimate government of China, which created long-term diplomatic hostility and mutual distrust.
5. This event marked the beginning of a deeply adversarial relationship between China and the USA.

2. The Korean War and Direct Military Confrontation (1950–1953)

1. Sino-US relations worsened dramatically during the Korean War, which brought Chinese and American forces into direct combat for the first time.
2. When UN and US forces advanced towards the Yalu River, China feared invasion and intervened militarily in 1950.
3. Chinese troops fought against US-led forces, leading to heavy casualties on both sides and intensifying hostility.
4. The war confirmed American fears of a monolithic communist bloc, linking China closely with the USSR in US thinking.
5. The conflict entrenched long-term mutual suspicion and made diplomatic relations impossible throughout the 1950s.

3. Taiwan and Continued Tensions in East Asia (1954–1958)

1. The issue of Taiwan remained a central cause of tension, as the USA committed itself to Taiwan’s defence through the US–Taiwan Mutual Defense Treaty (1954).
2. China viewed American support for Taiwan as a violation of its sovereignty and a barrier to national reunification.
3. During the Taiwan Strait Crises of 1954–55 and 1958, China shelled Nationalist-held islands close to the mainland.
4. The USA responded by deploying naval forces and even hinting at the possible use of nuclear weapons, escalating tensions.
5. These crises reinforced hostility and convinced China that the USA was an aggressive imperialist power.

4. Diplomatic Isolation and Ideological Rivalry (1950s–1960s)

1. Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, the USA pursued a policy of isolation towards China, excluding it from the United Nations and international diplomacy.
2. China was portrayed in US political discourse as a dangerous and radical communist state, particularly after the Great Leap Forward.
3. The USA strengthened alliances with Japan, South Korea, and other Asian states to contain Chinese influence.
4. China, in turn, promoted revolutionary movements in Asia and Africa, presenting itself as a leader of anti-imperial struggle.
5. Ideological hostility remained intense, even as China’s relationship with the USSR began to deteriorate.

6. The Sino-Soviet Split and Changing US Attitudes (1960–1969)

1. The Sino-Soviet Split of the early 1960s fundamentally changed the Cold War balance.
2. As relations between China and the USSR worsened, US policymakers began to see China less as part of a unified communist threat and more as a potential counterweight to Soviet power.
3. However, relations remained hostile during the Vietnam War, as China supported North Vietnam against the USA.
4. The USA remained militarily involved in Asia, reinforcing Chinese fears of encirclement.
5. Despite this, secret discussions within the US government began to explore the possibility of rapprochement with China.

7. Rapprochement and the Opening of Relations (1971–1972)

1. A major breakthrough occurred in 1971, when China replaced Taiwan as China’s representative at the United Nations, with tacit US support.
2. The same year, ping-pong diplomacy symbolised a thaw in relations, as American and Chinese athletes exchanged visits.
3. Henry Kissinger’s secret visit to China in 1971 laid the groundwork for improved diplomatic relations.
4. In 1972, President Nixon visited China, marking the first visit by a US president and a dramatic reversal of previous policy.
5. The Shanghai Communiqué acknowledged ideological differences but committed both sides to improved relations and opposition to Soviet expansion.

8. Strategic Cooperation and Ongoing Differences (1973–1979)

1. During the 1970s, Sino-US relations were driven largely by shared concerns about the USSR, rather than genuine ideological agreement.
2. The USA relaxed trade restrictions and increased economic and cultural exchanges with China.
3. China gained access to Western technology and markets, which supported its long-term development.
4. However, disagreements remained over Taiwan, human rights, and regional conflicts.
5. In 1979, the USA formally recognised the People’s Republic of China, ending official recognition of Taiwan and completing the normalisation of relations.

9. Overall Significance of Sino-US Relations (1947–1979)

1. Sino-US relations evolved from open hostility and military confrontation to cautious strategic cooperation.
2. The shift reshaped the Cold War, weakening the position of the USSR and ending the idea of a unified communist world.
3. By 1979, Sino-US relations had become a central feature of global diplomacy, driven by pragmatism rather than ideology.