Today, I saw a netizen asking: "The first Western country to recognize New China?" The answer is: Sweden. Sweden recognized the People's Republic of China on January 14, 1950, and established diplomatic relations with China on May 9, 1950, making it the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Of course, this is the correct answer as textbook-like. I'm trying to say something other than the answer. In fact, the United States, Israel, Great Britain, all almost became the first countries to recognize the new China - note that it was not Western countries, it was the first country, earlier than the Soviet Union.
First of all, Israel was the first to establish diplomatic relations with China, and in 1947, according to the United Nations resolution, Palestine and Israel were partitioned, Israel was established, and the first Middle East war broke out. Israel, in its own isolation, is looking around the world for a country that can recognize itself. After the Nanjing people touched the ashes, they came to the cave in Yan'an, hoping to be recognized here. "If the CCP recognizes Israel, then Israel will also recognize the CCP's legitimacy as China"。This was a condition that Israel put forward back then. Of course, Yan'an did not promise them at that time. Later, due to the consideration of relations with Arab countries, China did not officially recognize Israel until 1992.
Secondly, the United States. In fact, as a result of Stuart's activities, the United States may have established diplomatic relations with China even earlier than the Soviet Union. When the people evacuated Nanjing, the US ambassador to China, Stuart Leiden, stayed behind, hoping to negotiate with New China to ensure the maximum security of US interests in China. In this regard, China and the United States have held many rounds of discussions and negotiations. If the negotiations are successful, the United States will recognize the new China before the Soviet Union. In the end, however, it was impossible for the Chinese side to agree to the US demand, and the Chinese side's request was also rejected after being transferred back to the United States through Stuart, and Stuart left China in disgrace. The possibility of direct diplomatic relations between China and the United States has been dashed.
And finally, the United Kingdom. In the War of Liberation, the image of the British has always been ugly, especially in the battle of crossing the river, the "Purple Quartz Incident" broke out, and British Prime Minister Churchill even once clamored for sending aircraft carriers to China, which made the image of the British even more confused. However, when the People's Liberation Army entered Guangdong and approached Hong Kong, the British side was forced to establish a diplomatic communication channel with the Chinese side, that is, informal "chargé d'affaires" diplomatic relations, in order to ensure its interests in Hong Kong. This is the Western country that has actually established diplomatic relations with China, and this level of diplomatic relations has existed since the People's Liberation Army made it clear that it would not enter Hong Kong. It can be said that it was actually the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Of course, this does not mean that Britain recognizes New China, on the contrary, when the liberation of the United Kingdom is carried out, Britain continues to make small moves. Its ugly face should be remembered by every Chinese person.