Re:The Mao-Kissinger Meeting of 1973
by refurb on Saturday June 10, 2023 @12:50AM
(#36267693)
China and the USSR never quite "split" from North Vietnam until well after the end of the war in 1975 (the Sino-Vietnamese war in 1979 was the China aplit which was mended in the 80's).
The Sino-Soviet split had already happened (as you mentioned) and North Vietnam played China and the USSR off against each other "who can be the best friend of an important communist revolutionary government?".
It wasn't until the US engaged both China and the USSR in detente, and the war had progressed to such an extent it was obvious the US was leaving, that Vietnam moved way down the list of priorities for both the USSR and China. Both countries continued to support North Vietnam, but it was heavily tempered by what they might lose with the US.
The Sino-Soviet split had already happened (as you mentioned) and North Vietnam played China and the USSR off against each other "who can be the best friend of an important communist revolutionary government?".
It wasn't until the US engaged both China and the USSR in detente, and the war had progressed to such an extent it was obvious the US was leaving, that Vietnam moved way down the list of priorities for both the USSR and China. Both countries continued to support North Vietnam, but it was heavily tempered by what they might lose with the US.