This proceeded at first as a sort of slow ritual dance, but the steps rapidly gained momentum in 1971 until, on July 15, I made the surprise announcement that I would visit China in early 1972.

• 这件事开始时进行得像庙堂里舞蹈仪式那样缓慢，但是在1971年它的步伐加快了，到7月15日我令人吃惊地宣布了我将于1972年初访问中国。