Renovated Nixon Library commemorates historic trip to China

World Today

Renovated Nixon Library commemorates historic trip to China

United States President Richard Nixon is credited for one of the most historic foreign policy initiatives: normalizing relations with China, as well as the most dramatic downfalls with the only presidential resignation in American history.

A look at the political and private life of the 37th U.S. president is on full display at the New Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California, which reopened over the weekend after a yearlong renovation.

CCTV’s May Lee reports the story.

The new Richard Nixon Library opened its $15 million revamped doors with a lot of fanfare and personal thanks from the Nixon family.

“My mother and father would be so honored that you are promoting the legacy as an example of generations to come,” said Richard Nixon’s daughter, Tricia Nixon.

The renovated library, one of 13 in the Presidential library system, encompasses the extremes of Richard Nixon’s long political life.

China undoubtedly is a big part of President Nixon’s legacy and the museum focuses on his efforts to open up relations back in 1972 with an exhibit called “The Week that Changed the World.”

Nixon’s one week trip to China was the first for any U.S. President and marked the start in normalizing relations between the two foes breaking a silence that had lasted 25 years.

The China exhibit highlights a symbolic moment that set the tone of the historic visit. The handshake between President Nixon, upon arrival in Beijing, and Premier Zhou Enlai

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, played a key role in laying the groundwork for the visit. As he toured the new library, Dr. Kissinger emphasized the significance of restarting relations with China.