The relationship between the US and China has gone a long way from complete isolation to a complex partnership. Personal meetings between the leaders of the two countries have played a key role in this history. Below is a full chronology of all visits by serving US presidents to China, starting with the historic "thaw" in 1972. The list includes both state visits and trips to international summits (APEC, G20). Chronology of Visits Richard Nixon (February 21–28, 1972) Cities: Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai. This was the first visit to the PRC by a sitting US president in history. It ended a 25-year isolation and led to the signing of the Shanghai Communique — a document laying the foundation for the normalization of bilateral relations. Gerald Ford (December 1–5, 1975) Cities: Beijing. The visit took place when diplomatic relations between the US and China had not yet been established. Ford reaffirmed the US commitment to the principles of the Shanghai Communique. Ronald Reagan (April 26 – May 1, 1984) Cities: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai. The first visit by an American president after the establishment of diplomatic relations (1979). Reagan and his wife Nancy visited the Terracotta Army in Xi'an. George H.W. Bush (February 25–26, 1989) Cities: Beijing. The visit was made just one month after his inauguration — the fastest visit in history. Before his presidency, Bush was the head of the US Diplomatic Mission to China. Bill Clinton (June 25 – July 3, 1998) Cities: Xi'an, Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Hong Kong. The longest (9 days) and geographically most extensive visit. Clinton delivered a speech at Peking University, which was broadcast throughout China. George W. Bush (4 visits) October 2001 — Shanghai (APEC summit), the first overseas visit after the September 11 attacks. February 2002 — Beijing (working visit, visit to Tsinghua University). November 2005 — Beijing (official visit). August 2008 ... Read more