BEIJING: Chinese leader Xi Jinping warmly referred to former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as an “old friend” during their meeting in Beijing.
Kissinger’s recent visit to China included advocating for a reconciliation between Washington and Beijing, despite the ongoing disagreements over trade and national security.
He is an esteemed 100-year-old diplomat. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and communist China in the 1970s. His close ties with China’s leaders have endured throughout the years, maintaining a significant connection with the country.
According to state media, President Xi expressed the Chinese people’s profound appreciation for friendship. He also highlighted Henry Kissinger’s historic contributions to promoting China-US relations and fostering friendship between the two nations.
Xi emphasized that this enduring friendship not only benefitted both countries. It also had a significant impact on the world, contributing to global change.
With the world undergoing unprecedented transformations and the international order in flux, Xi acknowledged that China and the United States are once again standing at a critical juncture, requiring both sides to make crucial decisions.
In response, Kissinger expressed gratitude to Xi for the warm reception at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse’s building number five. He had met with then-premier Zhou Enlai in 1971 in the same building, marking a significant historical milestone.
Kissinger further emphasized the centrality of the China-US relationship in ensuring world peace and advancing the progress of their respective societies. He highlighted the critical role both nations play in shaping the global landscape.
Kissinger’s Legendary Career
In 1971, Henry Kissinger undertook a secret mission to Beijing to establish relations with communist China. This paved the way for a historic visit by former US President Richard Nixon. The aim was to reshape the Cold War dynamics and seek assistance in ending the Vietnam War.
The diplomatic efforts made by the US towards an isolated Beijing played a significant role in China’s rise as a manufacturing powerhouse and the world’s second-largest economy.
Following his time in office, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kissinger amassed wealth by advising businesses on China and has cautioned against adopting a hawkish stance in US policy towards China.
During his recent trip to China, Kissinger’s engagements coincided with US climate envoy John Kerry’s visit, along with previous visits by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Kissinger has been a frequent visitor to China, with over 100 visits since 1971, according to CCTV.
He stressed the importance of eliminating misunderstandings, peaceful coexistence, and avoiding confrontation between the United States and China in the current world scenario.
During his visit, Kissinger met with defense minister Li Shangfu and top diplomat Wang Yi, who praised his “historic contributions to the ice-breaking development of China-US relations.” Wang emphasized the need for Kissinger-style diplomatic wisdom and Nixon-style political courage in shaping US policy towards China.
While Kissinger has been celebrated by the American elite and received the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in negotiating a ceasefire in Vietnam, he is also viewed by many as an unindicted war criminal due to his involvement in expanding the Vietnam War to Cambodia and Laos, supporting coups in Chile and Argentina, and ignoring Pakistan’s mass atrocities during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence.
