On July 14, 1963, relations between the Soviet Union and China reach the breaking point as the two governments engage in an angry ideological debate about the future of communism. The United States was delighted to see a wedge being driven between the two communist superpowers.

Soviet statement was the first clear public indication that Russia and China were deeply divided over the future of communism. American officials greeted the development with glee, for they believed that the Sino-Soviet split would work to America’s advantage in terms of making the Russians more amenable to fruitful diplomatic negotiations on a variety of issues.

U.S.-Soviet relations continued to be chilly throughout 1960s. Nevertheless, the United States continue to attempt to use “divide and conquer” tactic into the 1970s when it began rapprochement with communist China in order to gain leverage in its dealings with the Soviet Union.