Sino-Russo-American Triangular

Relationship: A Reflection of an
American Geopolitics-oriented
Policy
American Foreign Policy Fundamental Change
during Nixon’s Administration (I)
American domestic situation changes: economic
superiority challenged by Japan and Germany;
nuclear superiority eroding; over-extension of US
politico-military presence; necessity to extricate
from the quagmire of Vietnam War.
Nixon’s extraordinary understanding of world
geopolitics and strong belief in balance of power
among five major powers—US, USSR, China, Japan,
and Europe (5 poles) to build a sustainable peace.
American Foreign Policy Fundamental Change
during Nixon’s Administration (II)
The communist world developments made Nixon
change American policy toward USSR and China.
The USSR achieved relative nuclear parity with the
US in early 1970s.
China acquired first atomic bomb in 1964, nuclear-
warhead missiles in 1966, and a hydrogen bomb
in 1967; it had border conflict with the Soviets in
Zhenbao island in 1969. Sino-Soviet rift undermined
Moscow’s leadership in the Communist camp.
American Foreign Policy Fundamental Change
during Nixon’s Administration (III)
Nixon Doctrine’s premises were as follows: keep
treaty commitments; provide a shield for allies
whose security endangered by nuclear threat and
vital to the US; provide nations with manpower for
their defense against non-nuclear aggression.
National interest not ideology became the basic
criterion for long-range American foreign policy.
Nixon stressed negotiation and competition may
accelerate Soviet system’s transformation.
American Even-handed Policy Toward USSR and
China: Détente and Rapprochement (I)
US-USSR détente was based on three assumptions:
Soviet sought a respite under two-decade
confrontation with America; Soviet faced tensions
from two fronts (a powerful and a populous state);
Soviet might be ready to explore solutions with the
US if America succeeded in opening China’s door.
Détente set aside overall confrontation but stressed
cooperation on possible areas (the key area was
arms control) which two sides had disagreement.
American Even-handed Policy Toward USSR and
China: Détente and Rapprochement (II)
The US-China rapprochement came from Nixon’s
strategy that a dialogue with China might create
a subtle triangle among the US, USSR and China,
serving as an invitation and a warning to the USSR.
After Sino-Soviet border conflict in 1969, China
strongly feared Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia
in 1968 under the Brezhnev Doctrine might be
applied to China.
 The US warned Moscow that the US would not
remain indifferent if the Soviet attacked China.
American Even-handed Policy Toward USSR and
China: Détente and Rapprochement (III)
Nixon stressed in 1970 annual presidential reports that US
would not collude with the USSR against
China. The US played the pivot role in the triangle.
Nixon broke the ice to lift the ban of Americans on
visiting China and limited amount of grain were
allowed to ship to China in July 1969.
Kissinger’s visit to China in 1971 paved the way for
Nixon’s visit and signing in Feb. 1972 the Shanghai
communique. In a week USSR invited Nixon to visit.