From 1950 China gradually engaged more with the rest of the world.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] They signed an eight-year agreement in 1954 setting out the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
2. [1] They agreed that they would respect each other's territorial integrity.
3. [1] They agreed on non-aggression between them.
4. [1] They agreed not to interfere in each other's internal affairs.
5. [1] They agreed to cooperate with each other.
6. [1] They agreed on peaceful co-existence.
7. [1] There were border clashes in the 1950s after disputes over the borders between them.
8. [1] There was a short war in 1962.
9. [1] China supported Pakistan in its war with India in 1965.
10. [1] Both countries claimed the islands in the South China Sea.
11. [1] Both countries claimed the rights to the oil deposits in the Gulf of Tonkin.
12. [1] China wanted Vietnam to spread communist ideas to other countries.
13. [1] Vietnam invaded Cambodia.
14. [1] Vietnam signed a friendship treaty with the USSR.
15. [1] In 1979 China's army attacked North Vietnam.
16. [4-5] Explanation: Relations changed due to China's desire for Vietnam to spread communism abroad, which Vietnam resisted, preferring its own nationalist communism. Additionally, territorial disputes and Vietnam's alliance with the USSR exacerbated tensions.
17. [1] Mao did not like Khrushchev.
18. [1] Mao thought Khrushchev was betraying Marx and Lenin.
19. [1] Khrushchev wanted better relations with the West.
20. [1] The USSR would not help the Chinese militarily.
21. [1] Mao disapproved of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.
22. [1] There were border disputes between China and the USSR in 1969.
23. [1] Economic aid from the USSR continued for 7 years after Stalin's death.
24. [1] Both countries followed communism in their own way.
25. [1] With the appointment of Gorbachev, relations improved slightly between China and the USSR.
26. [1] The USA and China had poor relations during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
27. [1] The USA at first blocked China's entry into the United Nations.
28. [1] In 1971 Kissinger visited China.
29. [1] In 1972 China and the USA signed a trade agreement.
30. [4-6] Argument for better US relations: US-China relations improved dramatically in the 1970s as the US sought to exploit the deepening Sino-Soviet split. Kissinger's visit led to trade and peace agreements, while Sino-Soviet ties deteriorated due to ideological clashes (Mao disliking Khrushchev, accusing him of betraying Marxism) and border disputes.
31. [4-6] Argument against better US relations: In the 1950s and 60s, US-China relations were poor due to conflicts like the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and US blocking of China's UN entry. During the 1950s, Soviet economic aid to China was significant, and relations improved after Mao and Khrushchev's departure.