“U.S. & China: A New Beginning” (1979), is a black-and-white news film chronicling the evolving relationship between the United States and China, culminating in the historic normalization of diplomatic ties in 1979. The film juxtaposes decades of political and military tensions — including the Chinese Civil War, Korean War, and Taiwan’s contentious UN status —with the landmark thawing of relations during the Cold War. Through archival footage, it highlights key moments such as Mao Zedong’s leadership, the U.S.-China rapprochement led by Nixon and Kissinger, and Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping’s goodwill visit to the United States under President Carter.
Film opens (0:07). Deng Xiaoping, Deputy Prime Minister of China, gives speech about new dawn of relations between China and United States (0:08). Opening credits (0:45). Sarira Pagoda at Chengde Mountain Resort (0:57). Yu feng ta and Hua zang hai ta on Yuquan Hill, Beijing (1:00). Great Wall of China (1:01). Terra-cotta soldiers at Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (1:04). Stone “Foo Dog” or “Shishi” (1:06). Mao’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during Chinese Civil War; Soldiers ride Type 95 Ha-Go light tank through Shanghai 1949 (1:08). Map showing retreat of General Chiang Kai-Shek’s forces (1:29). Mao exits vehicle and shakes hands with man; Mao standing in open military jeep, saluting army lined up during military parade displaying anti-aircraft cannons, tanks (1:35). Chiang Kai-Shek establishes new government in Taiwan (1:49). UN troops arriving in South Korea after North Korean invasion (June 1950) (2:17). North Korean Gen. Nam Il and UN Gen. William Harrison Jr. sign Korean War Armistice at Panmunjom (July 1953) (2:35). U.S. Diplomat John Foster Dulles meets with Chiang Kai-shek in Taiwan (2:53). Sikorsky H-34 Seahorse Helicopter lands on American 7th fleet cruising waters between Taiwan and mainland China (3:03). Madame Chiang (wife of Chiang Kai-shek) interview on returning to mainland China (3:20). Men and women laboring at Chinese Work Camps: mining stone, farming with outdated methods (3:54). Factory interior: women check fabric through automated machines (4:54). Oil production (5:09). Coal miners (5:21). School children use lab equipment (5:37). Moscow Kremlin Wall (5:57). Khrushchev’s secret speech denouncing Stalin (February 1956) (6:00). Chinese National Day Parade, Mao waves to crowds gathered in Tiananmen Square (6:24). PLA march into Tibet (6:48). UN Headquarters in New York City (7:08). Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (U.S. Ambassador to UN) speaks to General Assembly urging refusal of China membership (7:11). Myślewicki Palace Warsaw, Poland – American and Communist Officials meet (7:51). New membership of third world and communist countries ousts nationalist China from UN (8:02). Taiwanese UN delegate Dr. Tingfu F. Tsiang speech to UNGA (8:15). Board tracks votes; results announced (8:41). Henry Kissinger meets Mao in Peking (9:10). President Nixon’s VC-137C Air Force 1 aircraft lands in Peking (9:25). Nixon shakes hands with Chinese premier Zhou Enlai on tarmac Beijing Capital International Airport (9:38). Nixon and Mao meet, agree to normalize relations (9:57). Mao Death and state funeral: Civilians line up to view Mao’s embalmed, CCP-flag-draped body which lay in state at the Great Hall of the People (10:12). Mao successor Hua Guofeng (10:43). Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping salutes American soldiers at White House during official good-will visit to the United States at invitation of President Carter (1979) (10:50). Various shots of VIPs at welcoming ceremony on White House Lawn (11:06). President Carter announces the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China through speech given on South Lawn of White House (11:13). Rosalynn Carter, President Carter, Deng Xiaoping and his wife Zhuo Lin enter VIP box at Kennedy Center to view gala performance with special guests (12:06). Harlem Globe Trotters perform on stage (12:16). Deng Xiaoping and President Carter shake hands in front of press, signing of series of agreements on cooperation in science, technology, space, and cultural exchange (12:45). Film ends (13:39).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
