In 1972, while mired in the Vietnam War, Nixon visited China in search of an achievement; his original intention in engaging with the CCP was to change China. However, in his interactions with the CCP, the Nixon administration gradually deviated from the goal of changing China, shifting instead to emphasizing "seeking common ground while reserving differences." To exchange for the CCP's assistance on the Vietnam issue, he promised concessions on the Taiwan issue, such as troop withdrawals and the establishment of diplomatic relations. This shift in strategy is considered a case of the CCP playing the US, rather than the US changing the CCP.
Deng Xiaoping again wrote to Mao Zedong, engaging in sycophantic praise and reiterating his guarantee never to reverse verdicts.
During President Nixon's visit to China, First Lady Pat Nixon remarked to Zhou Enlai that pandas were adorable. Zhou immediately promised to gift two pandas, initiating US-China panda diplomacy.