The Ultimate Cold Warrior's Visit to China:
By Melissa Kulaprathazhe
January 4, 1975
"The week that changed the world," as President Nixon called his historic 1972 visit to China. He would be the first U.S. president to visit China. Throughout the course of President Nixon's visit to China, he met with Chinese political leaders to discuss changes that would influence the world forever.
President Nixon's visit to China was also made for an eight-day television extravaganza. For eight days and nights, American television audiences tuned in to view a spectacular collection of images from China, the first they had seen in more than twenty years. On the president's instructions, the American press corps strongly favored television over journalism. Nixon reached Beijing on February 21. Nixon's biographer, Stephen Ambrose noted, "He knew that when his old friend John Foster Dulles had refused to shake the hand of Chou En-lai in Geneva in 1954, Chou had felt insulted. Heknew too those American television cameras would be at the Peking airport to film his arrival. A dozen times on the way to Peking, Nixon told Kissinger and Secretary of State William Rogers that they were to stay on the plane until he had descended the gangway and shaken Chou En-lai’s hand. As added insurance, a Secret Service agent blocked the aisle of Air Force One to make sure the president emerged alone."
Soon after their arrival, Nixon and Kissinger were summoned to an unannounced meeting with Chairman Mao. Following that, a banquet was hosted by Chou En-lai, which was broadcasted live on the American morning news. In the Great Hall of the People, the People’s Liberation Army band played American favorites like, "America the Beautiful" and "Home on the Range." "‘Seize the hour! Seize the day!’" Nixon quoted from Mao, raising his glass to his Chinese hosts. Behind the spectacle, the banquets sent a clear message to the public eye that a new relationship was being formed.
Throughout the week, when President Nixon wasn't meeting with Chinese officials, Nixon attended cultural performances and more banquets. He also toured architectural and artistic treasures like the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, and the Great Wall of China. "I think that you would have to conclude that this is a great wall," the President observed, when pressed for comment, "and it had to be built by a great people." Millions of Americans got their first glimpse of life behind the "Bamboo Curtain" as Pat Nixon toured communes, schools, factories, and hospitals.
For their part, the Chinese media devoted much attention to Nixon's visit. At that time, most Chinese people listened to radio broadcasts and read copies of papers like the People's Daily, which featured front-page stories and photographs of President Nixon. After brief visits to Hangchow and Shanghai, the presidential party returned to Washington on February 28.
The success of Nixon's renowned visit to China had a lasting impact on the world. His visit formed stronger bonds between the United States and China. "Pictures overrode the printed word; the public simply was not interested in the complex analyses of the document after having watched the spectacle of an American President welcomed in the capital of an erstwhile enemy," wrote Henry Kissinger.
By Melissa Kulaprathazhe
January 4, 1975
"The week that changed the world," as President Nixon called his historic 1972 visit to China. He would be the first U.S. president to visit China. Throughout the course of President Nixon's visit to China, he met with Chinese political leaders to discuss changes that would influence the world forever.
President Nixon's visit to China was also made for an eight-day television extravaganza. For eight days and nights, American television audiences tuned in to view a spectacular collection of images from China, the first they had seen in more than twenty years. On the president's instructions, the American press corps strongly favored television over journalism. Nixon reached Beijing on February 21. Nixon's biographer, Stephen Ambrose noted, "He knew that when his old friend John Foster Dulles had refused to shake the hand of Chou En-lai in Geneva in 1954, Chou had felt insulted. Heknew too those American television cameras would be at the Peking airport to film his arrival. A dozen times on the way to Peking, Nixon told Kissinger and Secretary of State William Rogers that they were to stay on the plane until he had descended the gangway and shaken Chou En-lai’s hand. As added insurance, a Secret Service agent blocked the aisle of Air Force One to make sure the president emerged alone."
Soon after their arrival, Nixon and Kissinger were summoned to an unannounced meeting with Chairman Mao. Following that, a banquet was hosted by Chou En-lai, which was broadcasted live on the American morning news. In the Great Hall of the People, the People’s Liberation Army band played American favorites like, "America the Beautiful" and "Home on the Range." "‘Seize the hour! Seize the day!’" Nixon quoted from Mao, raising his glass to his Chinese hosts. Behind the spectacle, the banquets sent a clear message to the public eye that a new relationship was being formed.
Throughout the week, when President Nixon wasn't meeting with Chinese officials, Nixon attended cultural performances and more banquets. He also toured architectural and artistic treasures like the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, and the Great Wall of China. "I think that you would have to conclude that this is a great wall," the President observed, when pressed for comment, "and it had to be built by a great people." Millions of Americans got their first glimpse of life behind the "Bamboo Curtain" as Pat Nixon toured communes, schools, factories, and hospitals.
For their part, the Chinese media devoted much attention to Nixon's visit. At that time, most Chinese people listened to radio broadcasts and read copies of papers like the People's Daily, which featured front-page stories and photographs of President Nixon. After brief visits to Hangchow and Shanghai, the presidential party returned to Washington on February 28.
The success of Nixon's renowned visit to China had a lasting impact on the world. His visit formed stronger bonds between the United States and China. "Pictures overrode the printed word; the public simply was not interested in the complex analyses of the document after having watched the spectacle of an American President welcomed in the capital of an erstwhile enemy," wrote Henry Kissinger.