US Presidency
1978

The change that I am announcing tonight will be of great long term benefit to the peoples of both our country and China, and, I believe, to all the peoples of the world. Normalization, and the expanded commercial and cultural relations that it will bring, will contribute to the well being of our own Nation, to our own national interest, and it will also enhance the stability of Asia. These more positive relations with China can beneficially affect the world in which we live and the world in which our children will live. We have already begun to inform our allies and other nations and the Members of the Congress of the details of our intended action. But I wish also tonight to convey a special message to the people of Taiwan, I have already communicated with the leaders in Taiwan, with whom the American people have had and will have extensive, close, and friendly relations. This is important between our two peoples.