The U.S. established diplomatic relations with China in 1979. The formal recognition of the People's Republic of China was a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, marking the end of decades of isolation following the Chinese Civil War. This move aimed to exploit the geopolitical dynamics of the Cold War, as China served as a counterbalance to Soviet influence. The normalization of relations opened the door for trade, cultural exchange, and cooperation on various global issues. It also facilitated China's rise as a major global power, transforming the international political and economic landscape in the decades that followed.