Fifty years ago, an American president made a journey that would be described as "ice-breaking." It culminated in the release of the Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqué, and led eventually to the establishment of diplomatic relations. It also laid the cornerstone for building exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

Through eye-witness accounts and expert analysis, "Cornerstone" examines the historic events of 50 years ago when China and the U.S. broke the ice in their relationship, and assesses the global impact of the Communiqué and the relevance of the key principles it enshrines to bilateral relations today.