Defense Secretary William Cohen visits China in January to discuss closer military ties and visit a secret Beijing air base. In April, China releases prominent dissident Wang Dan from prison on medical parole and forces him into U.S. exile. U.S. Senate Republicans launch an investigation in June into allegations that China gained sensitive missile technology by launching a U.S. satellite, and that the Chinese military illegally contributed to the Democrats' 1996 election campaign.
China denies allegations.
U.S. President Clinton visits China in late June and early July.