Nixon in China (phrase)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The phrase "Nixon in China" or "Nixon goes to China" [1] is a historical reference to United States President Richard Nixon's visit to the People's Republic of China in 1972, where he met with Chairman Mao Zedong. A more explicit variant with the same metaphor is "Only Nixon could go to China."
Nixon's China visit was of particular significance because it marked the beginning of a process of normalization in Sino-American relations — the two countries had been estranged for many years as the U.S. was ardently anti-Communist and China had viewed the United States as its top enemy.
Because Nixon had an undisputed reputation of being a staunch anti-Communist, he was largely immune to any criticism of being "soft on Communism" by figures on the right of American politics. The phrase "Nixon going to China" is thus an analogy that refers to the unique ability that hardline politicians have to challenge political taboos and third-rail issues.
[edit] Examples
 |
This article may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (June 2008) |
- A southern Democratic President, Lyndon Johnson, pushing for Civil Rights for African Americans, the culmination being the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Right-wing Likud Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's 2004 Israeli disengagement plan
- The conservative South African president Frederik Willem de Klerk ending Apartheid.
- In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Mr. Spock quotes what he says is an old Vulcan proverb: "Only Nixon could go to China." This was said in response to the protests of Captain Kirk, known for his dislike of Klingons, after Mr. Spock volunteered him to command a mission to escort Klingons to a peace conference which would end the long-standing Federation-Klingon war (itself analogous to the Cold War).
- The German reform of the system of social security (see Agenda 2010), which included drastic cuts in pension and unemployment benefits, was initiated by the left-leaning red-green alliance.
- In November 1977, Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat visited Israel to make peace between the two nations.
