Cold War: China’s Reselection of Allies

Abstract

This scholarly discourse delves into the genesis of Ping-Pong Diplomacy between the United States and China and its consequential ramifications on China-Soviet Union relations. This diplomatic overture had a profound impact on the dynamics of the Cold War, with the Soviet Union witnessing the erosion of a key ally and perceiving China as a burgeoning threat. Concurrently, China reasserted its presence on the global stage, embarking on the transformative path of Reform and Opening Up. The U.S. benefited from turning an enemy into an ally in Asia and became the only superpower in the world. The paper introduced how a simple ping-pong friendly match contributed to the diplomacy between the Chinese and US governments, which eventually led to China's reselection of allies that contributed to the end of the Cold War.

“We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.”

– Henry Temple (1784 – 1865), 3^rd Viscount Palmerston, The Speech in the House of Commons