China's relationship with the superpowers changed over time.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1-4] Level 1 One mark for each relevant point; additional mark for supporting detail
2. [1] Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1976. China saw this as a threat as Vietnam had a close relationship with the USSR.
3. [1] China's relationship with the USSR had deteriorated.
4. [1] In 1979 fighting broke out when the PLA attacked North Vietnam.
5. [1] Many were afraid that a full-scale war between China and Vietnam would follow.
6. [1] At the end of 1979 there were peace talks but these broke down.
7. [1] Large numbers of troops gathered on either side of the border.
8. [1] Fighting continued through the 1980s.
9. [1] A secret peace deal was signed in 1990 and China forced Vietnam to withdraw from Cambodia.
10. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
11. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
12. [4] The US had supported the KMT in the Civil War and refused to acknowledge Mao as the rightful leader of China. With US support, China's seat at the United Nations was occupied by Chiang Kai-shek's Taiwan. Several times it was proposed that China should be admitted to the UN, but each time the USA and its allies voted against it.
13. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
14. [1] The US supported Chiang Kai-shek.
15. [1] The US did not favour the spread of communism.
16. [1] The US did not recognise the People's Republic of China.
17. [1] The US blocked China's seat in the UN.
18. [1] They were on opposing sides in the Korean War.
19. [1] In Vietnam, China and the USA supported opposing sides in Vietnam.
20. [1] A trade embargo was imposed on China.
21. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
22. [1] The two states disagreed about almost every area of policy.
23. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
24. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
25. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5 to 6 marks
26. [4] In some ways this statement is true. China's relationship with the USSR deteriorated while Khrushchev was in power and this meant China risked being isolated. This encouraged China to look for an ally. The US was also keen to exploit the rift between China and the USSR. If the US could establish links with China, then they would be able to break up the Communist bloc and isolate their main enemy in the Cold War.
27. [4] However, there are other reasons why US-Soviet relations improved. China was keen to make trade links with the US. At the same time US President Nixon began to realise that the US needed to find a new way of dealing with communist states. In 1971 China was allowed to join the UN – a move which the US had blocked since the 1940s. The following year a trade agreement and peace treaty was signed by the US and China. They both had motives for wanting improved relations and this led to a thaw between the two states.
28. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
29. [1] China's relationship with the USSR got worse under Khrushchev.
30. [1] Khrushchev criticised China's economic policy.
31. [1] China wanted the US as a trade partner.
32. [1] The US began to realise it needed to deal differently with communist states.
33. [1] A trade agreement was signed between the US and China in 1972.
34. [1] The US stopped blocking China from joining the UN.
35. [1] Kissinger visited China in 1971.
36. [1] The US was keen to exploit the rift between the USSR and China.
37. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
38. [1] There were many reasons on both sides for improved relations between China and the US.