In 1972 the world changed when Nixon and Mao buried the hatchet.What happened to all that good will?

Fifty years on from the nations ending their diplomatic standoff, what can we learn from the past to prevent them collapsing again?

Richard Nixon’s visit to China in February 1972 changed the histories of America, China, and the world. But a single incident illustrates just how much pressure surrounded the mission, as the world’s most powerful man ending up tearfully apologizing to a younger member of his staff.

That was Chas W. Freeman Jr. part of the US delegation, in his role as Tricky Dicky’s chief interpreter. At the very last minute, Freeman was informed by the president’s appointment secretary that he was to interpret extemporaneously at a banquet.

"I had a good idea of what he was going to say, as I'd written much of the material for that. But he never sat down with me, The White House in those days was obsessed with secrecy,” Freeman told RT.com.