Sino-Soviet State Relations 1969-1982: An Attempt at Clarification

Abstract

Although relations between the Communist parties of the USSR and the PRC were broken off in 1964, 'state-to-state' relations never ruptured completely. Since the severe crisis of 1969, caused by the Cultural Revolution and the Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia, both governments have called for a 'normalization' of state relations but have accompanied such appeals with a great deal of mutual vituperation, hostile diplomatic maneuvering and military confrontation. During this period the Sino-Soviet conflict has changed character and new issues have emerged replacing old ones as obstacles to friendly relations. This article reviews developments in strictly bilateral state relations since 1969 in an effort to make clear precisely what negotiations have taken place, what proposals and demands have been made by either side, and what the issues currently are. In the concluding section some explanations are offered for why relations have developed as they have, and the prediction is made that Sino- Soviet relations will continue to improve moderately, but that the main issues are likely neither to be solved nor shelved.