China calls

the long version

In 1971 the United States had no diplomatic relations, and no established route of communication with China. Despite that, in a stunning act of diplomacy, President Richard Nixon announced that he would travel to China to meet with its leaders. Ron Walker, director of the White House Advance Office, was chosen to make it all happen. This is the story of Walker and his team. China Calls is based on the actual transcripts of telephone calls between the advance team in. Peking and the White House in Washington. Because the tapes had never before been transcribed, the specific details of the historic event have been unknown. Now, for the first time, all of the behind-the-scenes activities and drama that led up to Nixon's historic journey in February 1972 are here in China Calls. For example, imagine the President's surprise when the Chinese government requested a protocol order of the entire 390 member American party. How do you rank. Barbara Walters, Dan Rather, Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw, and James Michener? Much is known about Nixon's actual visit, but the story of how it all came together has never been told until now. The advance team conquered a monumental task. Welcome to a rare glimpse of the guarded intricacies and exacting details of White House travel.