Visit by Deng Xiaoping to the United States

It was the most important Chinese diplomatic visit to the country since Soong Mei-ling, wife of the Republic of China's leader Chiang Kai-shek, in 1943.

"Deng sought an endorsement from the United States in order to deter the Soviet Union from intervening when China launched a contemplated punitive attack against Vietnam.

[5]: 137  According to United States National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, Carter reserved judgment, an action which Chinese diplomats interpreted as tacit approval for China's invasion of Vietnam during the Sino-Vietnamese war, which China launched shortly after Deng's return from the United States visit.

[4] According to academic Suisheng Zhao, "The proximity in the timing of the military thrust to take advantage of the normalization to bluff the Soviets with a nonexistent US endorsement.

[5]: 137  He arrived on Air Force One with local congressman Mickey Leland and was greeted by Mayor of Houston Jim McConn.

[5]: 137  Texas Governor Bill Clements was at the airport, declined to personally greet Deng, and immediately returned to the state capital.

[5]: 138 That evening, he was presented a Stetson cowboy hat during a rodeo he attended in Simonton hosted by what is now the Greater Houston Partnership.

[5]: 138  When the barrel rider's sister fell from her horse later during the rodeo, Deng sent his personal physician to check on her and confirm that she was not injured.

He was accompanied by United States Secretary of Energy James R. Schlesinger, Governor Dixy Lee Ray and Senators Warren Magnuson and Henry M. Jackson.

[5]: 138 Carter stated that he found Deng, "small, tough, intelligent, frank, courageous, personable, self-assured, [and] friendly.

The KKK member, who rushed to the podium where Deng was speaking with a knife, was intercepted by an agent of the United States Secret Service.

Two weeks later, the SS Letitia Lykes entered Shanghai harbor in the first US-flagged ship to visit the PRC in 30 years.

[26] This visit led to agreements in September 1980 on maritime affairs, civil aviation links, and textile matters, as well as a bilateral consular convention.