U.S. China Ties

Forged in secrecy at the height of the Cold War, the diplomatic ties established between Washington and Beijing 30 years ago had a clear goal: countering the Soviet threat.

Over those three decades the strategic marriage of convenience has evolved into a full-fledged relationship. The two countries are entwined economically and politically to an extent unimaginable when ties were normalized on Jan. 1, 1979.

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