The Policy Role of the U. S. State Department in U. S.-China Relations 1969-1971

ABSTRACT Title of Thesis: The Policy Role of the U. S. State Department in U. S. - China Relations 1969 - 1971 Wuzheng Fan, Master of Arts, 2008 Thesis directed by: Dr. Ka-Che Yip. Ph. D., Professor, Department of Historical Studies From 1969 to 1971, as the U. S. was bogged down in Vietnam and sought a way out, the benefits of a possible rapprochement with China were considered by both the White House and the State Department. This was not a new idea and the State Department analysts had considered this possibility even before 1969. Both the White House and State Department, at that time recognized that the Soviet Union and not China was the main enemy. The U. S. through the State Department in the Warsaw Talks and through other countries had been in contact with China since the 1950s. Even in 1949, the U. S. analysts felt that the U. S. should try to prevent Soviet domination of China. China was also eager for rapprochement as it felt threatened by the Soviet Union. Initially, the U. S. made minor concessions to China in order to gain goodwill. Later on, the major issues between the U. S. and China, most of which were discussed were relations with the Soviet Union, Taiwan, the possibility of China entering the U. N., and also Vietnam. Although the final action taken to affect a rapprochement with China was done by the White House, the State Department played a key role in the formulation of policy and strategy concerning the rapprochement. The White House and State Department had the same general strategy but differing methods: the State Department favored a gradual rapprochement and the White House desired a quicker, more immediate rapprochement