1972: President Nixon and the China moment

Who remembers Air Force One landing in China this week in 1972?  What a photo.  What a TV image for those who remember that day.

We celebrate another anniversary of President Nixon's trip to China. 

It is still one of the most incredible presidential trips in US history.  Can you think of another one more unexpected or revolutionary?

President Nixon built his career as an anti-communist and strong supporter of the US military superiority.  He was the last person in the world that any would have expected to go to China and shake Mao's hand.

Well, he did and changed international relations.  

His visit to China also created the political phrase or the "Nixon to China" moment.  It became a phrase to describe a presidential move that went against conventional wisdom.

Pres. Nixon's motives were to improve relations with China and divide the two communist superpowers.  He also understood the potential of China, diplomatically and economically.   Eventually, we developed our relationship with China but kept strong ties with Taiwan with care and diplomacy.

Today, China is an emerging superpower with a billion people and lots of challenges.  Time will tell whether China will continue to grow or blow up from within.  Again, time will tell.

Nevertheless, it was an amazing moment this week in 1972.

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1972: Nixon to China

Who remembers Air Force One landing in China this week in 1972?   It was quite a TV image for those who remember that day.

We celebrate another anniversary of President Nixon’s trip to China.  

It is still one of the most incredible presidential trips in US history.  Can you think of another one more unexpected or revolutionary?

President Nixon built his career as an anti-communist in the days of The Cold War.  He was the last person in the world that anyone would have expected to go to China and shake Mao’s hand.

His visit also created the phrase “Nixon to China” moment.  It became a popular slogan to describe a presidential move that goes against conventional wisdom.

President Nixon’s motives were to improve relations with China and divide the two communist superpowers.  He also understood the potential of China, diplomatically and economically.   

Today, China is an emerging superpower with a billion people and lots of challenges.  Time will tell whether China will continue to grow or blow up from within.  

Today, the US-China relationship is more complex than ever,  from a trade deficit to a cocky Chinese Navy in the Pacific.  

Nevertheless, it was an amazing moment this week in 1972.

By the way, President Nixon wrote a lot about the trip to China in his wonderful memoirs published in 1978.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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1972: President Nixon in China

One of the benefits of old age is that you remember President Nixon's trip to China in 1972.  

It caught everyone by surprise.  It must be one of the best kept secrets in modern history.

Nobody expected such a move from President Nixon, the anti-communist.  At the same time, it was proof of President Nixon's brilliance and his ability to look forward and promote US interests.

Again, I'm old enough to remember watching the scenes on the evening news.  It's amazing how China has changed, from all of those people in bicycles to huge cities polluted by industries and cars.   

Was it the right thing to do?    We are still debating that today.   

We remember Henry Kissinger, who became Secretary of State a year later in 1973.  Also, President Nixon discussed the trip in his memoirs.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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1972: The 'Nixon to China' moment

On this day in 1972, President Richard M. Nixon made history by landing in China. 

It was the story of the year and one of the most interesting foreign-policy decisions of the post-war period.  After all, who would have believed that anti-communist Nixon would shake hands with Mao?

President Nixon's move paved the way for the China of today. In other words, cars instead of bicycles and skyscrapers instead of simple buildings. It also contributed to the outsourcing of thousands of manufacturing jobs, i.e. "Made in China" is everywhere!  

The jury is still out on just how much the U.S. got out of this arrangement.   Nevertheless, as Seth Mandel wrote a couple of years ago, President Nixon left us with a great expression, or  ".....any major politician’s rebuke to his ideological compatriots, no matter how superficial, is a “Nixon-to-China moment.”"

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.