In 1972, the international situation underwent tremendous changes, the relationship between major powers was turbulent, in order to seek a new development in relations with China, US President Nixon visited China, Premier Zhou in order to show attention, led a diplomatic team to the airport to meet the president, and made detailed arrangements.
The US delegation was arranged to stay at the State Guest House, the museum was clean and tidy, the service staff was humble and courteous, and President Nixon was very satisfied with the situation.
However, just as Nixon was finishing his lunch and preparing to return to the lounge, he happened to catch a glimpse of a propaganda poster on the wall of the corridor with the words "Down with US imperialism" written impressively.
Before sino-US relations deteriorated, streets across China can see such slogans and propaganda pictures, but I did not expect that because of the negligence of the waiter, Nixon saw this copy of the inconspicuous propaganda poster.
Nixon was so angry after hearing the translation of the painting that he was ready to ask chairman Chairman Mao about the question, thinking that he could take the lead in the conversation because of this matter.
But when they met in the afternoon, Chairman Mao actually used only three words to resolve the matter, and Nixon laughed out loud because of the chairman's witty reply, and the talks were able to continue.
Napoleon once described China as "a sleeping lion", and in the early days of its founding, New China was resisted by Western capitalist powers and refused to recognize China's international status.
In this context, the relations between the two major powers between China and the United States gradually deteriorated, and China was in the early stage of development at this time, in order to cope with the constraints of the United States, China adopted a "one-sided" policy, resolutely supported the socialist camp, and had close exchanges with the Soviet Union.
However, in 1958, Sino-Soviet relations gradually deteriorated, contradictions gradually deepened, and China's external threats gradually changed from the United States to the Soviet Union.
The constant changes in the world situation have made both China and the United States hope that the relationship between China and the United States can break the ice and jointly deal with the Soviet Union. After the Zhenbao Island incident, Chairman Mao, who was far-sighted, keenly realized that this was the time for changes in Sino-US relations.
Chairman Mao made arrangements in advance and constantly showed the United States its goodwill expectations and hoped to have diplomatic exchanges with it.
First there was a well-known American journalist Snow to visit China, paving the way for nixon's arrival later, at this time the Chinese and American governments are looking for suitable opportunities to contact, but not long after, an opportunity appeared, which is the famous "ping-pong diplomatic relations."
In 1971, Japan held a table tennis competition, the United States participated in this competition, the Chinese side in the perspective of athlete protection did not want to participate, but Chairman Mao insisted on participating in this competition, because this competition can not only show the style of Chinese athletes, but also contact with the United States, killing two birds with one stone.
In this game, the Us side was attracted by our special playing style, hoping to compete with our side, and our athletes are also very friendly with each other, our athlete Zhuang Zedong, also gave the American athlete Cohen a famous Piece of Hangzhou Brocade as a proof of friendship.
In fact, long before the Chinese delegation went out, the chairman specifically instructed them to bring some gifts with Chinese characteristics to facilitate the opportunity to give to foreign athletes.
Cohen, who received the gift, felt the enthusiasm of China, and immediately reported to his superiors the idea of wanting to communicate with China, and just as the game was on the last day, the U.S. delegation officially made a request to visit our country.
This is the famous "small ball diplomacy", which provides a wonderful opportunity for China and the United States to establish diplomatic relations.
After the "ping-pong diplomacy," China and the United States began to prepare for future meetings, and Chairman Mao always reminded Premier Zhou to pay attention to the news sent to our country by embassies. Three months later, Nixon sent security assistant Kissinger to China.
This meeting paved a good foundation for Nixon's subsequent visit to China, and Kissinger's impression of China was also very good, and when he returned home, he reported his feelings to President Nixon, and Nixon felt that the time was ripe to officially visit China in 1972.
This time, the trip to China to the friendship of the landlords, from the honor guard to the living arrangement, all are the highest rank, the honor guard is divided into two lines, showing full sincerity, after staying in the state guesthouse Nixon, this saw the propaganda slogan.
In order to show the importance he attached to this meeting, Chairman Mao deliberately set the meeting time until three o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, at this time Nixon was still angry about the propaganda posters, and after the meeting, he asked Chairman Mao whether the propaganda posters on the wall were deliberately done by the Chinese side.
As soon as this question came out, the atmosphere at the scene immediately fell into a stalemate, the chairman's answer may affect the situation between the two countries, premier Zhou is also very remorseful, he personally arranged the hospitality matters unexpectedly flawed, so that the guests are dissatisfied.
However, Chairman Mao smiled slightly and calmly replied: "Empty the cannon!" Nixon did not understand the implications and was even more confused. Premier Zhou immediately added: "The meaning of these three words is to only hear their voices, just like the United States shouts every day to eliminate communism. ”
Nixon was relieved to understand that he had not expected the chairman to be so humorous. Although he had previously read Chairman Mao's writings and admired this great leader in his heart, after this misunderstanding, he admired the chairman's ingenuity even more.
In the following conversation, the chairman was not humble, and his speech showed superb political ideas, and mentioned that he had voted for Nixon's presidential campaign, which not only expressed the blessings of the president-elect to him, but also narrowed the distance between them, showing full sincerity in order to ease Sino-US relations.
Kissinger, who witnessed the conversation between the two heads of state, was also impressed by Chairman Mao's ability to control language and rhythm, and after that Kissinger recalled the meeting and constantly lamented the chairman's style.
Nixon's visit to China lasted for a week, and during this week he felt the importance of the Chinese side, the meeting, during the meal, he was surprised to find that the dishes were all his favorite hometown dishes, and the famous American songs were also played during the banquet, which made Nixon feel very relaxed and very happy between conversations.
The two sides also reached a consensus after the talks, and relations between the two countries have since been normalized. Chairman Mao has always been thinking of Nixon, an old friend, even after Nixon stepped down, he did not forget him, and even invited him to visit China again, and the etiquette specifications were the same as Nixon's presidency, which greatly touched Nixon.
Later, Nixon wrote about Chairman Mao in his autobiography, calling him a truly great man, which shows that he was deeply impressed by Chairman Mao and his admiration was overflowing with words.