Fighting on the Ussuri River in 1969 made China see the USSR as its main threat and opened the way to the USA.
In 1968 the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia alarmed China. The Brezhnev Doctrine claimed the right to intervene in socialist states. Beijing feared it could be next.
In March 1969, Chinese and Soviet troops clashed at Zhenbao Island (Damansky to the Soviets) on the Ussuri River. Dozens were killed. Further clashes followed along the border.
Soviet officials hinted at a strike on China's nuclear facilities. China prepared for war and evacuated leaders from Beijing.
The crisis changed China's strategy. Mao concluded that the USSR, not the USA, was the greater danger. Improving relations with the USA became a way to balance Soviet power.
- Czechoslovakia
- August 1968: Soviet-led invasion.
- Zhenbao Island
- March 1969 clash on the Ussuri River.
- Brezhnev Doctrine
- Claimed a Soviet right to intervene in socialist states.
Worked example: Linking 1969 to rapprochement
Explain why the 1969 clash mattered for Sino-American relations.
- Threat: the clash and Soviet hints of a nuclear strike made the USSR China's main enemy.
- Strategy: China needed a counterweight to Soviet power.
- Opportunity: Nixon wanted leverage over Moscow and a way out of Vietnam.
- Result: secret contacts began, leading to Kissinger's visit in 1971.
Watch out for this
The 1969 clash was a full-scale war between China and the USSR.
It was a series of armed border clashes. Both sides prepared for war, but full-scale war did not follow.
Check your understanding
Why did the 1969 clash push China towards the USA?
- China saw the USSR as its main threat and wanted a counterweight.
- The USA had promised to give China Taiwan.
- China had adopted capitalism.