| 1972 Nixon Visit | 2002 Bush Visit |
| The U.S. had combat troops in South Vietnam. | The U.S. is leading the international war against terrorism. |
| The P.R.C. was in the midst of the Cultural Revolution. | The P.R.C. is preparing for the first major leadership change since President Jiang Zemin assumed power in the early '90s. |
| The P.R.C. had recently resumed China's position on the U.N. Security Council. | The P.R.C. accedes to the World Trade Organization. |
| The U.S. signed the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with the Soviet Union. | The U.S. provides notice of intention to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. |
| No formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the P.R.C. | Secure hotline between U.S. and Chinese government leadership in operation. |
