Nixon's new approach to China was favorable for both parties, as the Sino-Soviet relation grew more dangerous than the conflicts the USA had with both countries, and so the U.S. tried to develop ties to each country. China was important for the U.S., because it was the dominant power in Asia and presumably a great influence and supporter of North Vietnam. Getting closer to China was part of Nixon’s strategy for ending the Vietnam War. It was the idea of isolating North Vietnam from its allies and to make them be on their own in the end. A plan likely to succeed as China and the USA had similar approaches toward Vietnam. China supported the North, America the South, but both didn’t want their client to win, in order not to destabilize the region and keep the balance.
For Mao this situation was favorable. The U.S. was pressing hard for a peace plan with Hanoi. If it succeeded, the danger from the South (posed by the Vietnam War) would no longer be urgent and Mao could gather his forces on the northern border with the Soviet Union, as the danger of an armed conflict grew there.
copyright 2004 by Lars Klein > webmaster@lars-klein.com
