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MODERN HISTORY OF CHINA

Objective chronological listing of significant events leading up to modern China.

• March – Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia is deposed and goes into exile in the People's Republic of China.
  
• April - Chiang Ching-kuo visits the United States. Attempted assassination of Chiang in New York.
  
• April - People's Republic of China launches it first satellite into space.
  
• May - U.S. troops invade Cambodia.
  
• August - Decision made at the Central Committee of Communist Party to improve relations with the United States. The Soviet Union is declared China's main enemy.
  
• August - Disagreements develop between Lin Biao and Mao Zedong.
  
• October – Richard Nixon contacts Beijing through Pakistani president Yahya Khan, expressing an interest in sending a high-level emissary to China.
  
• December – Zhou Enlai indicates that the People's Republic of China would welcome a delegation from the United States. Mao Zedong invites Richard Nixon to visit China.
  

1970