The country that responded by having close relations with the Soviet Union was China.

China's Relations with the Soviet Union

Sino-Soviet Split:
In the early years after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, China and the Soviet Union had close relations. The Soviet Union provided significant aid and support to China during its early years of communist rule. However, this close relationship gradually deteriorated, leading to the Sino-Soviet split.

Causes of the Split:
The split between China and the Soviet Union can be attributed to several factors:

1. Ideological Differences: China and the Soviet Union had different interpretations of communist ideology, which led to disagreements and tensions. China criticized the Soviet Union for deviating from Marxist-Leninist principles and for adopting revisionist policies.

2. Leadership Rivalry: There was also a power struggle between Chinese leader Mao Zedong and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Both leaders had different visions for the future of communism and sought to assert their influence on the global stage.

3. Border Disputes: China and the Soviet Union had ongoing territorial disputes along their shared border, particularly over the ownership of several islands in the border region.

Shift in Alliances:
As the relationship between China and the Soviet Union deteriorated, China began to shift its alliances and seek new partnerships. One of the major consequences of the split was China's decision to align itself with the United States.

Reasons for Aligning with the Soviet Union:
China's decision to align with the Soviet Union can be attributed to several factors:

1. Mutual Interests: China and the Soviet Union shared mutual interests in challenging the dominance of the United States and its capitalist allies. Both countries sought to promote a global communist revolution and saw the United States as their common enemy.

2. Economic and Military Aid: The Soviet Union provided economic and military aid to China, which helped the country in its development and modernization efforts.

3. Strategic Importance: China saw the Soviet Union as a strategic partner that could help counterbalance the power of the United States and its allies in the region.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, China responded to the deterioration of its relations with the Soviet Union by seeking closer ties and alignment with the Soviet Union. This shift in alliances was driven by ideological differences, leadership rivalries, and border disputes. China's decision to align with the Soviet Union had significant geopolitical implications and shaped the country's foreign policy in the following years.