Georgetown University Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University

Case Studies

426
Muted Differences: The Negotiations to Normalize U.S.-Chinese Relations
Bernstein, Thomas P.

ISBN: 1-56927-426-6 | Published: 1988 | No. Pages: 23

Although Sino-U.S. relations had begun to improve in 1969, culminating in the Nixon-Kissinger visits of 1972 and the establishment of liaison offices in 1973, the absence of formal relations and continued American recognition of Taiwan as the Republic of China were fundamental barriers to the further development of relations. The United States and the People's Republic of China did not establish formal diplomatic relations until January 1, 1979. Students' attention should be drawn to the following questions: (1) What were the assumptions that American policymakers had about China's actual and potential role in international politics? (2) Why was there a sense of urgency to normalize relations? (3) Given China's difficult situation vis-à-vis Vietnam and the Soviet Union, could the United States have gotten more for Taiwan from China in the negotiations leading up to the December 15 agreement? (4) Did the United States make unnecessary concessions?

Format: paper copy
Price: $5.00
Add to cart


Format: pdf file
Price: $3.50
Add to cart


Institute for the Study of Diplomacy | Publications
1316 36th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20007
Toll free: 877-703-4660 x204 | General E-Mail
Copyright 2005 Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. All Rights Reserved