The following is a chronology of major events in Sino-US diplomatic relations since 1972: 

February 21-28, 1972: US President Richard Nixon visited China, with a Sino-US joint communiqu¨¦ released in Shanghai on February 28.

February 22, 1973: the two countries announced the establishment liaison offices.¡¡

December 1-5, 1975: US President Gerald Ford visited China.

December 16, 1978: The two countries simultaneously issued a joint communiqu¨¦ calling for the establishment of diplomatic relations. The communiqu¨¦ said the two countries fully recognized each other and would formally set up diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979. The communiqu¨¦ also announced that the two nations would exchange ambassadors and open embassies on March 1, 1979.

January 1, 1979: China and the United Stated officially established diplomatic relations. The US State Department formally notified Taiwan authorities that the US-Taiwan Mutual Defense Treaty would be terminated on January 1, 1980.

January 28-February 5, 1979: Chinese Vice-Premier Deng Xiaoping and his wife paid an official visit to the US at the invitation of US President Jimmy Carter.

February 28, 1979: U.S. and Taiwan closed their "embassies".

April 10, 1979: US President Carter signed the Taiwan Relations Act.

December 31, 1979: The US terminated the US-Taiwan Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1954.

August 17, 1982: China and the US issued a joint communiqu¨¦ on gradually reducing and finally resolving the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan.

April 26-May 1, 1984: US President Ronald Reagan visited China.

July 22-31, 1985: Chinese President Li Xiannian visited the US.

February 25--27, 1989: US President George Bush visited China.

October 2, 1989: Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen offered four suggestions for improving Sino-US relations.

In June, 1991: The US announced three sanctions on China -- suspending exports of satellites and related components, restricting exports of high-speed computers, and prohibiting exports of missile-related products to some Chinese companies.

November 19, 1993: Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with US President Bill Clinton in Seattle, Washington, during an informal meeting of APEC leaders.

May 26, 1994: US President Clinton announced the extension of the most-favored nation treatment for China, along with a decision to delink MFN from human rights issues.

November 14, 1994: Jiang and Clinton met in Indonesia during an informal meeting of APEC leaders.

October 24, 1995: President Jiang met with Clinton while the Chinese leader was attending activities marking the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations.

November 24, 1996: Jiang conferred with Clinton in the Philippines during an informal meeting of APEC leaders.

March 24-25, 1997: US Vice-President Al Gore visited China.

May 19, 1997: US President Bill Clinton announced the decision on extension of China's MFN status for another year.

October 27-November 3, 1997: President Jiang Zemin visited the United States at the invitation of US President Clinton. The two countries issued a joint statement in Washington on October 29, 1997.

November 24, 1997: Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with US President Clinton during the fifth APEC Summit in Vancouver, Canada. 

June 25-July 3, 1998: U.S. President Bill Clinton paid a state visit to China.Chinese President Jiang Zemin and US President Clinton participated in a televised news conference during which Clinton reaffirmed U.S. adherence to the "Three No's" principles on Taiwan (the United States does not support independence for Taiwan, or "one China, one Taiwan," or "two Chinas," or its membership in any international bodies whose members are sovereign states).

April 6-13, 1999: Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji paid an eight-day official visit to the United States at the invitation of US President Bill Clinton.

September 11, 1999: Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with US President Bill Clinton during the 7th APEC Summit in Auckland, New Zealand.

September 8, 2000 : Chinese President Jiang Zemin held talks with US President Clinton during the United Nations Millenium Summit in New York.

November 16, 2000 : Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with US President Bill Clinton during the 8th APEC Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan,Brunei.

October 19, 2001 : President Jiang Zemin held talks with U.S. President George W. Bush in Shanghai. This was the first meeting between the two heads of state. The two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-U.S. relations, anti-terrorism, maintenance of world peace and stability and other major issues. The talks were constructive and fruitful.