Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sino-Soviet Border Conflict
In 1969, there was a dispute between China and Russia over the following areas:
http://www.ibiblio.org/chinesehistory/contents/03pol/c04s05i03.jpg
http://www.ibiblio.org/chinesehistory/contents/03pol/c04s05i02.jpg
(click here for better view.)
There was a series of armed clashes between the Soviet Union and People's Republic of China, occurring at the height of the Sino-Soviet split of the 1960s. Tensions built up along the border with troops from each side stationed along the borders, finally resulting in a conflict in March. Details of the conflict.
This conflict caused China to shift its primary adversaries from the United States to the USSR, which allowed a better Sino-American relationship, especially seen when President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972.
This conflict was between two countries that already own nuclear weapons, causing much fear over the fact that nuclear power would be used. In fact, after some clashes each side had prepared for nuclear confrontation. It was only when Soviet Premier Aleksey Kosygin visited Beijing on his way back to Russia from Ho Chi Minh's funeral that a political solution cooled the situation. The final agreement was only settled recently.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Soviet_border_conflict
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/prc-soviet.htm
http://en.allexperts.com/e/s/si/sino-soviet_border_conflict.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/21/newsid_2728000/2728761.stmLabels: 1965-1985
