October 20 Henry Kissinger visits China to prepare for Nixon's upcoming trip. After a week of intense debate, the U.N. General Assembly votes to admit the People's Republic of China and expel Nationalist China. U.S. ambassador to the U.N. George Bush later complains that Kissinger's presence in Beijing during the vote undercut the American effort to preserve Taiwan's seat. December 3 India, supported by Soviet aid, invades Pakistan. Both the U.S. and China side with Pakistan.
China releases two American prisoners.
December 26 United States planes bomb targets in Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam. The attacks continue for five days. 1974 February 14 New communications satellite and Beijing receiving station are prepared to broadcast Nixon's upcoming visit. After a farewell ceremony on the White House lawn, President and Mrs. Nixon depart for Hawaii, en route to China. That evening, the entire presidential party attends an official welcome banquet hosted by Chou En-lai in the Great Hall of the People.