President Nixon's trip to China in 1972 ended twenty-five years of isolation between the United States and the People's Republic of China (PRC) and resulted in establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1979.

Listen to Nixon discuss his rationale for the trip, the arrival of the pandas at the National Zoo, and his reasoning for the importance of restoring communications with the People's Republic of China.

These excerpts are drawn from the Third Chronological Conversation Tape Release, which was released on February 28, 2002.

For additional audio, as well as documents and photographs about Nixon's trip to China, visit the Presidential Timeline.

• Conversation Number:   656-10 (excerpt 1) | Listen | Transcript
  Date:   January 26, 1972
  Abstract:   In this excerpt, President Nixon explains his rationale for making the trip to China in an Oval Office meeting with Barend Biesheuvel, Alexander Haig, and J. William Middendorf.
  
  
• Conversation Number:   656-10 (excerpt 2) | Listen | Transcript
  Date:   January 26, 1972
  Abstract:   In this excerpt, President Nixon explains his rationale for making the trip to China in an Oval Office meeting with Barend Biesheuvel, Alexander Haig, and J. William Middendorf.
  
  
• Conversation Number:   92-1 (excerpt 1) | Listen | Transcript
  Date:   February 29, 1972
  Abstract:   After returning from China, President Nixon explains to a group of Congressional leaders, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, the importance of restoring communication with China as a way of mitigating suspicion and miscalculation, which could lead to war.
  
  
• Conversation Number:   92-1 (excerpt 2) | Listen | Transcript
  Date:   February 29, 1972
  Abstract:   After returning from China, President Nixon explains to a group of Congressional leaders, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, the importance of restoring communication with China as a way of mitigating suspicion and miscalculation, which could lead to war.
  
  
• Conversation Number:   21-56 | Listen | Transcript
  Date:   March 13, 1972
  Abstract:   As a result of President Nixon's trip, China gave the United States two pandas. In this conversation, President and Mrs. Nixon discuss the arrival of the pandas at the National Zoo.
  
  

For additional Nixon White House Tapes available online, see Nixon White House Tapes - Online.