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As WWII ended, two new superpowers USSR and USA emerged to compete for global influence and developed a deep divide between the former allies. Picture: Churchill and Truman at the famous “Iron Curtain” Speech, US Department of State
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US suspends diplomatic relations with China after the Communists won control of mainland China. Picture: Communists entering Beijing in 1949, US Department of State
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The Korean War heightens tension between US and China, who supported two warring sides. Picture:General MacArthur during the Korean War, US Department of State
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Increasing tensions between Democratic Taiwan and Communist China lead to US pledging military support for Taiwan's defense. This drives US and China further apart. Picture: US Secretary of State Dulles signing the treaty,Taiwan Document Project
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The Vietnam War pitted US against a Chinese aided North Vietnam. This event led some to demand normalization of relations with the Chinese while others called for action against the Chinese. Picture: Marines land in Vietnam, History.com
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Chinese Communist Party attacks USSR as revisionists of Communist, the first public sign of the growing split between former allies. Picture: Mao and Khrushchev, from Nuclear Test Ban Committee
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China becomes a nuclear power with the detonation of its first nuclear bomb. This raises concern with the Americans, especially in the middle of the Cold War. Picture: China's first nuclear test, from Nuclear Test Ban Committee
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US Ping-Pong team was invited by China to visit and play friendly matches. This was a gesture to the world that China would consider opening up. Picture: Panoramic view of a special table tennis exhibition in honor of P… by Atkins, Oliver F.
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Nixon made a shocking Television announcement that he accepted China's secret offer for him to visit and preparations began for the exploration of an isolated nation. Picturel Nixon making the announcement, History.com
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This marked the beginning of a week long visit that was aimed at a normalization of relations between the two countries. Picture: Nixon lands on Chinese soil, by Bryon Shumaker
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The first US embassy since WWII was established in China, showing the effects of the Nixon visit nearly a decade after. Picture: Chief of US Liaison Office to China, George Bush, in front of the Liaison Office with an unidentified woman.
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The final step in normalization of relations. Clinton agreed to grant the title of Permanent Trade Relations and would become one of US's biggest trade partners. Picture: Clinton greats Chinese General Secretary Jiang Zemin, national archives
