The United States and China reestablished diplomatic ties in 1979, when the two nations signed the normalization of relations agreement. This agreement officially ended the hostile relationship that had been in place since the Chinese Civil War, and marked a major turning point for bilateral relations.
The decision to reestablish diplomatic ties between the two countries was led by United States President Jimmy Carter and People’s Republic of China (PRC) Chairman Hua Guofeng. The two leaders saw the move as a way to improve the international position of both countries in the wake of the Cold War. As part of the agreement, the United States recognized the PRC as the legitimate government of China, and the PRC agreed to recognize the government of Taiwan as an autonomous region.
The opening of diplomatic ties signaled that the United States and PRC would be willing to work together diplomatically on a variety of issues. In the years that followed, the two countries continued to improve their relationship, negotiating numerous agreements on trade, human rights, and other topics. In 1984, the two countries established formal diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C., and Beijing, marking a further normalization of relations.
Since then, the relationship between the two countries has improved significantly, with the United States and PRC engaging in close economic and political cooperation. In 2008, the United States and PRC signed a memorandum of understanding known as the “U.S.-China Joint Statement on Cooperation.” This agreement acknowledged that the two countries must cooperate in order to address global challenges, such as climate change and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
At the same time, the United States and China have also experienced significant disagreements and tensions. In particular, disagreements over trade policy and human rights have been a frequent source of tension. Despite these occasional disagreements, the two countries have generally maintained a positive and productive relationship since the reestablishment of diplomatic ties in 1979.