Nixon visits China
President Richard Nixon visits the Peoples Republic of China.After arriving in Beijing the president announced that his breakthrough visit to China is The week that changed the world.In meeting with Nixon Prime Minister Zhou Enlai urged early peace in Vietnam but did not endorse North Vietnams political demands.
North Vietnamese officials and peace negotiators took a dim view of Nixons trip fearing that China and the United States would make a deal behind their backs.Nixons promise to reduce the U.S.military presence on Taiwan seemed to confirm North Vietnams fears of a Chinese-American sellout-trading U.S.
military reduction in Taiwan for peace in Vietnam.Despite Hanois fears China continued to supply North Vietnam levels of aid that had increased significantly in late 1971.This aid permitted the North Vietnamese to launch a major new offensive in March 1972.
