ABSTRACT
In 1956 and 1961, in periods of reduced internal tension, the Chinese had proposed meetings with the Americans at the foreign minister or summit level. In November 1968, the Chinese indicated that they were willing to resume the Warsaw talks between Chinese and American ambassadors. The election of Richard Nixon as president of the United States, the deterioration of Sino-Soviet relations, and the more open foreign policy decided upon at the end of the Cultural Revolution made the step logical and appropriate. The Chinese sent their foremost diplomat, Huang Hua, to Ottawa, no doubt mindful of the prospect of future relations between China and the United States and of admission to the United Nations. Although the Chinese periodically denounce American hegemony, particularly in front of international organizations, they nevertheless give it tacit encouragement where it can usefully checkmate the Russians.
