Visit to China
A US table tennis team arrives in China
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1971 in China
Explore 26 historical events and records for China in 1971.
Historical records for China in 1971
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 26 of 26 unique records.
26Unique records
1 of 1Page
20Named events on this page
6Named people on this page
5Places on this page
April
Trade Relations
The US relaxes trade & travel with China
Britain restores a telephone link with China, cut off in 1949
Britain restores a telephone link with China, cut off in 1949
Ping-Pong Diplomacy
Receives and supports the opening created by exchanges between Chinese and American table-tennis teams.
May
Invitation for Nixon Visit
Uses secret communications to signal China's willingness to receive a presidential envoy and later President Richard Nixon.
June
National Security Statement
Chairs a National Security meeting and issues a public statement urging calm, dignity and self-reliance amid mounting diplomatic pressure.
July
First Secret Kissinger Visit
Begins intensive secret talks with Henry Kissinger during his first visit to Beijing.
Kissinger Strategic Talks
Continues wide-ranging discussions with Kissinger on Taiwan, Vietnam, the Soviet Union and a presidential visit.
Nixon Visit Announcement
Participates in the coordinated announcement that President Nixon will visit China.
Visit to China
Richard Nixon announces his intention to visit China. Chous policy of reconcilliation with the USA is rewarded
Visit to China
Richard Nixon announces his intention to visit China
September
Exile of Lin Biao
Crosses the Chines border on his way to Russia to set up an opposition to Mao
Lin Biao Incident
Lin Biao flees after alleged coup plotting against Mao
Coup
After trying to overthrow Maos Government, Lin Biao dies in an airplane crash in Mongolia on his way to exile
Death of Lin Biao
Dies on board a plane in Outer Mongolia as it skids on uneven ground. After trying to overthrow Maos Government, Lin Biao dies in an airplane crash in Mongolia on his way to exile
Death of Lin Biao
Lin Biao dies in a plane crash in Mongolia during his attempted flight from China
Death of Mao Tse-Tung
Maos rival & Vice Chairman of the Party dies & many of his supporters are arrested
October
National Day Cancelled
National Day celebrations are cancelled after the Lin Biao incident shocks the leadership
China Takes UN Seat
Welcomes the United Nations vote transferring China's seat to the People's Republic of China.
Loss of United Nations Seat
UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 transfers China’s United Nations representation to the People’s Republic of China, ending ROC membership.
United Nations
The United States does not use its veto power to block mainland Chinas United Nations admission, the change in the US position comes about as the result of a gradual thaw in US- Chinese relations. Communist China Joins the UN, replacing Taiwan, the United Nations approves the membership of Communist China, thereby replacing Taiwan
Second Kissinger Visit
Receives Kissinger again for detailed negotiations and planning for Nixon's forthcoming visit.
Shanghai Communique Drafting
Negotiates preliminary language with Kissinger for the joint communiqué planned for Nixon's visit.
Other events (month unknown)
Coup
After trying to overthrow Maos Government, Lin Biao dies in an airplane crash in Mongolia on his way to exile
Death of Mao Tse-Tung
After trying to overthrow Maos Government, Lin Biao dies in an airplane crash in Mongolia on his way to exile
Visit to China
Henry Kissinger visits China
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.