Ping Pong Diplomacy: In an attempt to thaw relations with the United States, the People's Republic of China hosts the U.S. table tennis team for a weeklong visit.

The Soviet Union says it will support the People's Republic of China's admission to the United Nations

People's Republic of China: Chairman Mao Zedong's second in command and successor Marshal Lin Biao flees the country via plane after the failure of alleged coup against Mao. The plane crashes in Mongolia, killing all aboard.

The United Nations seated the People's Republic of China and expelled the Republic of China (see political status of Taiwan and China and the United Nations)

Representatives of the People's Republic of China attend the United Nations, including the United Nations Security Council, for the first time.

President Richard Nixon visits the People's Republic of China to normalize Sino-American relations.

Sino-American relations: The United States and People's Republic of China sign the Shanghai Communiqué.

The Universal Postal Union decides to recognize the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate Chinese representative, effectively expelling the Republic of China administering Taiwan.

The Universal Postal Union decides to recognize the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate Chinese representative, effectively expelling the Republic of China administering Taiwan.

Sino-Japanese relations: Japan establishes diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China after breaking official ties with the Republic of China.

Cold War: Following United States President Richard Nixon's visit to the People's Republic of China, the two countries agree to establish liaison offices.

In the People's Republic of China, the April Fifth Movement leads to the Tiananmen incident.

The Tangshan earthquake measuring between 7.8 and 8.2 moment magnitude flattens Tangshan in the People's Republic of China, killing 242,769 and injuring 164,851.

New Premier Hua Guofeng orders the arrest of the Gang of Four and associates and ends the Cultural Revolution in the People's Republic of China.

The People's Republic of China announces that Hua Guofeng is the successor to the late Mao Zedong as chairman of Communist Party of China.

Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping is restored to power.

Censorship: the People's Republic of China lifts a ban on works by Aristotle, Shakespeare and Dickens.

U.S. President Jimmy Carter announces that the United States will recognize the People's Republic of China and cut off all relations with Taiwan

Formal diplomatic relations are established between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America.

In China, a Hawker Siddeley Trident crashes into a factory near Beijing, killing at least 200.

The People's Republic of China adopts its current constitution.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration, stating that the People's Republic of China would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and the United Kingdom would restore Hong Kong to China with effect from July 1, 1997 is signed in Beijing by Deng Xiaoping and Margaret Thatcher.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration, stating that the People's Republic of China would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and the United Kingdom would restore Hong Kong to China with effect from July 1, 1997 is signed in Beijing by Deng Xiaoping and Margaret Thatcher.

Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit the People's Republic of China

USS Rentz, USS Reeves and USS Oldendorf visit Qingdao (Tsing Tao) China — the first US Naval visit to China since 1949.

Upon Hu Yaobang's death, the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 begin in the People's Republic of China.

Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989: In Beijing, around 100,000 students gather in Tiananmen Square to commemorate Chinese reform leader Hu Yaobang.

The Chinese authorities declare martial law in the face of pro-democracy demonstrations, setting the scene for the Tiananmen Square massacre.

The government of China sends troops to force protesters out of Tiananmen Square after seven weeks of occupation.

The railroad between the People's Republic of China and Kazakhstan becomes complete at Dostyk, adding a sizable link to the concept of the Eurasian Land Bridge.

Li Hongzhi gives the first public lecture on Falun Gong in Changchun, People's Republic of China.

Emperor Akihito becomes the first Emperor of Japan to stand on Chinese soil.

A China Southern Airlines domestic flight in the People's Republic of China, crashes, killing all 141 people on-board.

Jiang Zemin is appointed President of the People's Republic of China.

Sino-Soviet Split: Russia and the People's Republic of China agree to de-target their nuclear weapons against each other.

The Lijiang earthquake in Lijiang, Yunnan, China.

China launches a Long March 3 rocket, carrying the Intelsat 708 satellite. The rocket flies off course 3 seconds after liftoff and crashes into a rural village.

At the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China, a Long March 3 rocket, carrying an Intelsat 708, crashes into a rural village after liftoff, killing many people.

The People's Republic of China announces it will spend $27.7 billion USD to fight erosion and pollution in the Yangtze and Yellow river valleys.

Comet Hale-Bopp: Observers in China, Mongolia and eastern Siberia are treated to a rare double feature as an eclipse permits Hale-Bopp to be seen during the day.