Foundations of Chinese Foreign Policy

During the 7th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party held from 23 April through 11 June 1945, Mao Zedong is made leader of the Party and "Mao Zedong Thought" is enshrined in the newly passed constitution.

During an interview with Anna Louise Strong, Mao Zedong says that "all reactionaries are paper tigers" and discusses the Chinese Civil War. He also introduces the theory of the "intermediate zone," stating that "the United States and the Soviet Union are separated by a vast zone which includes many capitalist, colonial and semi-colonial countries in Europe, Asia and Africa."

In a famous article entitled “On the People’s Democratic Dictatorship,” Mao Zedong announces that China will “lean to one side” in its foreign policy. Mao wrote that China must “ally with the Soviet Union” and “form an international united front.”

Following three years fighting against the Guomindang, Mao Zedong proclaims the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from Tian'anmen Square. Though much of the Guomindang had already fled to Taiwan, huge swathes of Chinese territory, including Tibet, nevertheless had yet to come under the control of the Chinese Communist Party.

Zhou Enlai announces the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence during a discussion over disputed Tibetan territory with a delegation from India on 31 December 1953. Emphasizing mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence, the Five Principles are enshrined in the Ten Principles of the Bandung Conference in 1955 and become a core set of principles underlying Chinese foreign policy throughout the Cold War and after.

During the 8th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held 15 September through 27 September 1956, Deng Xiaoping is elevated to the near top of the Central Committee. Reflecting Mao's diminished position within the CCP, Mao Zedong Thought is removed from the constitution. Liu Shaoqi delivers an extensive political report on the state of China.

Mao Zedong begins to espouse his theory of the “Two Intermediate Zones,” with Asia, Africa, and Latin America constituting the first, and Europe and North America constituting the second.

On 22 February 1974, Mao officially proposes the Theory of Three Worlds, claiming that the “First World” is made up of the rich and nuclear armed USSR and US, the “Second World” refers to Japan, Europe, Australia, and Canada, and the “Third World” covers the undeveloped countries of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Reflecting a new diplomatic orientation, China begins prioritizing the Third World in its foreign policy following Mao’s speech.

At the Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, the Chinese Communist Party publishes an import document, entitled "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China." The document assessed the legacy and shortcomings of Mao Zedong, criticized the Cultural Revolution, and called for Party unity going forward. Hua Guofeng also steps down as CCP Chairman.

The Chinese Communist Party convenes its 12th National Congress from 1-11 September and proclaims an “independent foreign policy.”