Say some major cultural screw-up happens during Nixon's trip to China and Chairman Mao orders his entire diplomatic mission detained. (Say a member of his cadre attempts to tickle Mao or something)
This make no sense what so ever !
Even if something like major cultural screw-up happens, Mao Zedong will look the other way and do as nothing ever happened !
Why ?
Mao Zedong China just escape a war With Soviet union, a war were Soviets wanted to use Nuclear weapons !
In 1968 started a border disputer between USSR and China over a tiny river island, As fanatic Red Guards stormed the island and start shooting Soviet border patrols
And situation went from worst to most unpalatable, as Politburo in Moscow decided to use military force and since Chinas Red Army is Bigger as Soviets red army the Soviet took the Nuclear option.
but there was one little problem: U.S. of A, how would the Nixon administration react on that ?
So in Washington D.C. started Soviets Diplomat a mind game with Americans at cocktail parties and meetings: "
What would you do, if let say Soviet union start nuclear war with China ?"
Henry Kissinger realized what is this about a warrant from USA so soviet union could do what they want with China
He violently opposed this and declare whit loud voice "If
Soviet union start nuclear war with China, We will stand on China side, also Nuclear !" (or something like that)
The Soviet Diplomat were perplex of this reaction, also the Communist Chinese Diplomats on that Diner party
While soviet Politburo canceled there plans for war with China in fear Nixon could nuclear counterstrike them.
the People's Republic of China invited the U.S. Table Tennis team and delegation of journalist to China, what let to diplomatic talks and "Nixon goes to china"