The Strategic Thought Of Mao Ze-dong's Seeking Normal Sino-American Relations

In the research of Mao Ze-dong and his thoughts, the diplomatic area remains a weak link. There are many essays and books which study Mao and Sino-American relations on the aggregate in the academic society. But most of them merely describe events, or rummage through historical materials and testify them. That is to say, there lies room for improvement in systematically analyzing and thinking about Mao's strategy of seeking normal Sino-American reactions. Accordingly, this essay will help to enhance the understanding of the strategic decisions made by the first generation of leaders with Mao as their core to make China survival, widen her diplomatic space and upgrade her international position. It will also indicate that the implementation of Sino-American diplomatic strategy should be based on philosophic thoughts, and should have its own diplomatic philosophy.This essay is divided into five parts:Introduction: summary of Mao's diplomatic policy towards America in the eve of the foundation of the PPC.Part I the orbit of strategic change in Mao's seeking normal Sino-American relations (1950-1972). The four stages are to come. (1) the Sino-American confrontation in Korea war. (2) the Taiwan Straits Crisis and the peace/war between China and America. (3) the problem of Vietnam and another Sino-American confrontation. (4) Nixon's visit to China and peace between the two countries.Part II the connotation of Mao's strategic thought on normalizing Sino-American relations. The following is its five aspects. (1) the organic unification of principles activeness and flexibility. On the stand of national benefits Mao initially sought to improve Sino-American relations. His concrete tactics were flexible and changeable with change of circumstance. (2) the organic unification of ideology and national benefits. Mao put emphasis on ideology, but he was not limited to it. He considered more about essential national benefits, e.g. state security and economy. In Mao's mind, ideology was just a tool for China's diplomatic strategy. (3) the inexorable choice ofbalance-keeping strategy instead of bus-riding strategy. Mao attempted to alleviate Sino-American relations by keeping balance. (4) the mutual permeation of realism and idealism. Although Mao's strategy of normalizing Sino-American relations are practical and pragmatic, it still has many parts of idealism. (5) the contradictory recitation of independence and alliance. Mao thought highly of independence, but he practiced the strategy of allying with the USSR to confront with America. The unfreezing of Sino-American relations was in essence a para-ally. Mao hesitated between independence and alliance and then attempted to achieve complete independence. Part III The philosophic viewpoints of Mao's strategy of normalizing Sino-American relations. Here are the five aspects. (1) Consider Sino-American relations from a global perspective and handle Sino-American relations with flexibility. (2) make insight into Sino-American relations with theory of contradiction, underline the utilization of fighting philosophy and grasp the juncture to improve Sino-American relation in fighting. (3) See the cognizance-out-of-practice theory as a guide, deepen the knowledge of America and understand the common strategic benefit. (4) Underline the concrete civilization of historical materialism and know that power lies behind diplomacies. (5) Emphasis the masses' positive or negative attitudes and try hard to acquire the world people's support.Conclusion The normalization of Sino-American relations was the result of Mao's continuous efforts and undergone a zigzag process, Mao's diplomatic strategy towards America with grand view of the world and theory of flexibility, is not only instructed by philosophies thought, but also embodies Mao's philosophic thought. Therefore, it can provide much enlighten for contemporary Sino-American reactions.