At the start of Maos cultural revolution China was ready to fall apart. The south was in revolt and Mao stared the red guard to counter. Nixon helped by opening the door. We were used.
> Nixon helped by opening the door. We were used.
Well, the Soviets were pretty close to nuking the Chinese and at the time the Soviets were the bigger worry.
Biggest mistake was letting the Chinese into the WTO on such easy conditions.