Mao's Foreign Policy by Mary Joy Cabreza

The Bandung Conference, 1955

2024-02-21 06:36:26 UTC

Place: Bandung, Indonesia

Date: 18 to 24 April 1955

The conference was conducted to discuss:

peace
role of their country in the cold war
economic development
decolonization

China’s role:

leader of the communist world
leader of non-aligned countries

Outcome:

Bandung Declaration

Respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and principles of the charter of the United Nations
Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations
Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations large and small
Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country
Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself, singly or collectively, in conformity with the charter of the United Nations
(a) Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve any particular interests of the big powers
(b) Abstention by any country from exerting pressures on other countries
Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country
Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration or judicial settlement as well as other peaceful means of the parties own choice, in conformity with the charter of the United Nations
Promotion of mutual interests and cooperation
Respect for justice and international obligations

Relations with the US

2024-02-21 06:47:51 UTC

After several decades of tension between China and USA, Mao invited the US table tennis team to play in China in 1971 which became known as the ping pong diplommacy. Following the Ping Pong Diplomacy, U.S. President Richard Nixon made a historic visit to China in February 1972. This visit marked the first time a sitting U.S. president had visited China since the establishment of the Communist regime. negotiations were steered by Zhou Enlai and Henry Kissinger. The meetings between Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai during the visit laid the groundwork for the normalization of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China. And in 1979 both countries had established full diplomatic relations.

Relations with Japan

2024-02-21 06:49:20 UTC

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, relations with Japan changed from hostility and an absence of contact to cordiality and extremely close cooperation in many fields.
The PRC continued to view Japan as a potential threat because of the presence of United States Forces Japan in the region. One of the recurring PRC's concerns in Sino-Japanese relations has been the potential re-militarization of Japan. On the other hand, some Japanese fear that the economic and military power of the PRC has been increasing.
In 1952 Japan pushed dissension between the two countries even further by concluding a peace treaty with the ROC (Republic of China, or Taiwan) and establishing diplomatic relations with the Taiwanese authorities.
Mao Zedong, was reported to have expressed his gratitude to the Japanese military and political figures who visited China in the 1950s and 1970s. Mao said that the Japanese invasion of China had united Chinese people and allowed the CSP to win the Chinese Civil War.

Relations with other nation

2024-02-21 06:56:21 UTC

One of the major conflicts during Mao's era was the border dispute between China and India, known as the Sino-Indian border conflict. The dispute centered around the demarcation of the border between the two countries in the Himalayan region. Tensions escalated in 1962 when China launched a military offensive, resulting in a brief but intense border war between the two countries. China achieved military success, capturing several strategic positions, but eventually declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew its troops to pre-war positions. The conflict left a lasting impact on Sino-Indian relations and contributed to mutual suspicion and periodic tensions between the two countries and relations didn't satbilize until Mao's death.

Relatiosn with the West and UN were also minimal as UN heavily critisized Mao for his hardline policies in Tibet.

Relations with Taiwan were always hostile and despite Mao's attepts to recapture Taiwan, Taiwan is still independent until today.

The Sino-Soviet rift, 1958-1976

2024-02-21 06:58:31 UTC

Mao's alliance with Stalin during the Korean War initially strengthened his consolidation of power by providing support against external threats. However, Nikita Khrushchev's denunciations of Stalin after assuming power weakened Mao's position and contributed to internal turmoil in China, notably seen in the Hundred Flowers Campaign. Mao's fears of the Soviet Union's improving relations with the West and China's resulting isolation led to accusations of revisionism against Khrushchev and strained Sino-Soviet relations.
Despite attempts to reconcile differences, such as Khrushchev's visit to Beijing in 1958, disagreements persisted, particularly regarding Taiwan and support during potential conflicts. The deliberate pursuit of anti-Soviet policies in countries like Albania and Yugoslavia, culminating in the severing of diplomatic relations at the Moscow Conference of 1961, intensified the rift.
By the mid-1960s, all Soviet experts and advisers were withdrawn from China, signaling a further deterioration in relations. Mao's announcement of China's first hydrogen bomb in 1964 and willingness to use it heightened Soviet alarm and escalated tensions. Relations continued to worsen under Leonid Brezhnev's leadership.
The threat of nuclear war ultimately ended the conflict, but the Sino-Soviet rift persisted until Mao's death in 1976. Deng Xiaoping, Mao's eventual successor, adopted a more tolerant approach to both the USSR and the West, signaling a shift in Chinese foreign policy.

Relations with Korea

2024-02-21 07:02:21 UTC

During Mao Zedong's era, China's relations with Korea were largely shaped by the Korean War. During Mao's era, China maintained a close alliance with North Korea, rooted in ideological similarities and shared communist principles.

China provided military and economic assistance to North Korea, particularly during the Korean War.

The alliance between China and North Korea served as a counterbalance to the influence of the United States and its allies in the region, particularly South Korea and Japan. China was one of the first countries to recognize the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) after its establishment in 1948.

Despite ideological differences and occasional tensions, China and North Korea maintained a generally stable and cooperative relationship throughout Mao's era.

During Mao's era, China did not have formal diplomatic relations with South Korea, which was aligned with the United States and other Western countries.

However, China's approach toward South Korea evolved over time, particularly as China sought to improve its international standing and pursue a policy of peaceful coexistence with neighboring countries.