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first U.S. ship to trade with China
Empress of China, the first U.S. ship to trade with China, arrives in Canton (now Guangzhou) after a six-month voyage, carrying 2,600 fur pelts and 30 tons of ginseng. It returns home with cotton, porcelain, silk and tea, earning the ship's owners about $30,000 in profits -
U.S. backs Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek
The U.S. backs Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek in his fight against Japanese occupation. After World War II, Mao Zedong's Communists defeat Chiang's Nationalists, who flee to Taiwan. Mao founds the People's Republic of China, and more than two decades of isolation from the West begin -
Korean War
The Chinese intervene in the Korean War to counter U.S. support for South Korea. -
Ping-pong diplomacy
American athletes head to China as part of a policy of "Ping-pong diplomacy." They pave the way for U.S. President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China. Seven years later, Washington normalizes relations with Beijing, and severs official diplomatic ties with Taiwan -
Tian'anmen Square Massacre
Students and a coalition of activists demonstrate in Beijing in April of 1989, demanding more political freedom and democracy, culminating in a brutal crackdown on the protestors by the government leaving many dead and injured. -
Embassy Bombed
During NATO air strikes against Serbia, the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade was hit killing three Chinese citizens. Anti-American protests were held across China. -
US Spy Plane Incident
A US spy plane collides with 2 Chinese fighter jets over the South China Sea heightening tensions between both countries. -
Jiang Zemin visits President George Bush
Chinese President Jiang Zemin visits President George Bush at his Texas ranch. They agree to work together to solve the crisis created by North Korea's admission that it has nuclear weapons. -
Us becomes biggest trader
The U.S. surpasses Japan to become China's No. 1 trading partner, but conflicts over everything from the U.S. trade deficit to Chinese piracy of American goods will continue to strain the relationship -
Host the Olympics
China welcomes the world as they host the 2008 Olympic Games.
