U.N. representatives vote to seat the the People’s Republic of China as a permanent member and expels Taiwan, led by the Chinese Nationalist Party. The U.S.—which had unsuccessfully proposed seating both the PRC and Taiwan—was interested in seeking the PRC’s help in resolving the sticky Vietnam situation, using influence with the PRC as diplomatic leverage against the Soviets and forming lucrative economic relations. U.S. relations with the PRC soon soared, highlighted by President Richard Nixon’s visit to China in 1972.