Editor's Note:

US President Donald Trump will kick off his first state visit to China on Wednesday, a trip which is expected to yield positive results for bilateral ties. A number of major business deals are due to be signed during the visit, as was the case with his predecessors. With the impending trip, now is a good time to look back at American presidents and first ladies who have come to China to strengthen bonds.

US President Richard Nixon shares a toast with Premier Zhou Enlai in February 1972 in Beijing during Nixon's official visit to China. [Provided to China Daily]

Richard Nixon

February 1972

Former US President Richard Nixon made a formal visit to China, with a China-US Joint Communiqué released in Shanghai on Feb 28, 1972. The Joint Communiqué, also called the Shanghai Communiqué, was the first of its kind between the two countries. This historic document laid the foundation for the development of China-US relations. Besides Beijing and Shanghai, Nixon also went to eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou during the epic trip.