geopolitical and economic position. Because in 1971 it was especially clear that it was in the interests of China and the United States to build a relationship, they both made overtures to establish relations. In July 1971 Kissinger—and then in February 1972 President Richard Nixon—went to China and in October 1971 the United Nations recognized the Mao-led communist Chinese government and gave China a seat on the Security Council.
