Asia Pacific 1973: Paris Peace Accords

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Political map of East Asia and the Western Pacific on 27 Jan 1973 (The Cold War in Asia: Paris Peace Accords), showing the following events: Bonin Islands restored; Sino-Soviet border conflict; Cambodian coup; Bangladeshi Liberation War; Nixon visit to China; Ryukyu Islands restored; Paris Peace Accords.

By the late 1960s, US public opinion had swung strongly against involvement in the Vietnam War, a stance exacerbated when involvement spread to Laos and Cambodia. Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China clashed with the Soviet Union, improving China's relations with the US and eliminating the US fear of a single Communist bloc gaining control of Asia. These factors led to US President Nixon agreeing to withdraw from Vietnam and arranging the Paris Peace Accords, a cease fire between all parties.

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Main Events

26 Jun 1968 Bonin Islands restored ▲

United States restores Bonin and Volcano Islands to Japan in wikipedia

2 Mar–11 Sep 1969 Sino-Soviet border conflict ▲

On 2 March 1969, the People’s Liberation Army ambushed Soviet border guards on disputed Zhenbao Island, leading to a seven-month undeclared military conflict between the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China. Although fighting around Zhenbao Island ended by late March, tensions remained high, with further clashes occurring on the western border—between Xinjiang and Kazakh SSR—in August. The war ended on 11 September when border negotiations were reopened between the two countries. in wikipedia

18 Mar 1970 Cambodian coup ▲

A right-wing coup by Prime Minister Lon Nol overthrew the regime of Prince Sihanouk in Cambodia. in wikipedia

26 Mar–16 Dec 1971 Bangladeshi Liberation War ▲

In response to the Pakistani junta’s oppressive and genocidal rule, East Pakistan declared independence as the nation of Bangladesh (often also called ‘Bangla Desh’ at the time). On 3 December, India entered the war in support of the Bangladeshi guerrilla forces, rapidly bringing the conflict to a close and leading the Pakistanis to surrender in Dhaka. At the cost of as many as three million civilian deaths, Bangladesh was independent. in wikipedia

21–28 Feb 1972 Nixon visit to China ▲

United States President Richard Nixon visited the People’s Republic of China, ending over 24 years of separation between the two states and allowing the American public to see images of mainland China for the first time in a generation. The trip shifted the balance in the Cold War, aligning the PRC and the US against the Soviet Union. As a result of the visit, the PRC agreed to a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question, although the US would not end official ties with the Nationalists in Taiwan until it established full diplomatic relations with China in 1979. in wikipedia

15 May 1972 Ryukyu Islands restored ▲

After a formal agreement reached on 17 June 1971, the United States ended its Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands and restored sovereignty over the island chain to Japan. By this action, the US relinquished control over the last piece of Japanese territory it had occupied following World War II. The US would continue to maintain military bases in Japan, in particular the main Ryukyu island of Okinawa. in wikipedia

27 Jan 1973 Paris Peace Accords ▲

The United States, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Provisional Revolutionary Government (Viet Cong) signed the Paris Peace Accords. This treaty established a ceasefire in Vietnam, allowing the US to withdraw and end its direct military involvement in the conflict there. The accords also pushed for a negotiated peaceful reunification of Vietnam and democratic elections, although this agreement would soon fall apart as North and South Vietnam resumed fighting. in wikipedia

1970s 1973 Bangladesh Bonin Islands Cambodia China Chinese history Cold War January January 27 Japan Japanese history Khmer Rouge maps North Vietnam Pakistan Russia Ryukyu Islands South Vietnam Taiwan United States Vietnam

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