How Nixon's Two Chinas became Kissinger's One China

In Act 1, "Two Chinas, One World", a secret message from the Pakistan ambassador opens the door for a high level US envoy to visit Beijing, but the Taiwan question, and Nixon's wish for a Two China policy, prove sticking points.

In Act 2, "The Rogers Problem", personal conflict between Kissinger and Secretary of State Bill Rogers - and Nixon's distrust of the foreign service - complicate efforts to keep the China initiative a secret.

In Act 3, "Eureka", Kissinger secretly meets with Chinese premier Chou En-Lai in Beijing in July 1971, formulating the language for a One China policy that opens the door for Nixon's historic trip to China the following year.