Chapters 10-14 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 10: The Quasi-Alliance: Conversations with Mao

The secret trip to China was successful in revitalizing the relationship between the US and China. The alliance that was formed brought with it promises of mutual assistance and strength. Despite this alliance, Mao still refused to admit that China may not be as strong as it wished to appear.

The "Horizontal Line": Chinese Approaches to Containment

Kissinger talks about Mao's warmth toward the US, particularly in front of the media.

"In February he noted that the United States and China had once been 'two enemies,' but that [n]ow we call the relationship between ourselves a friendship." Having proclaimed the new relationship as friendship Mao proceeded to give it an operational definition. Since he liked to speak in parables, he chose a subject that we were least worried about, possible Chinese...