Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents a resume of China's foreign relations from 1949 to 1969. During the early years of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) external relations, Mao turned to Moscow for both security and economic reasons. The book examines the profound breakthrough between Beijing and Washington that began in 1969. It examines the Sino-Soviet rift and the resultant triangular diplomacy between Beijing, Moscow, and Washington. The book review China's role in Asia and that country's vigorous moves to cultivate friendly relations with its Asian neighbors. The book discusses China's policy in world affairs continues to pursue the same broad objectives that shaped Mao and Zhou Enlai's foreign policy after the founding of the PRC in 1949, and China's role in world affairs.