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A hundred years old, this craftsman of the historic rapprochement between China and the United States meets the Chinese head of state, after seeing, the day before, the highest Chinese official for diplomacy.
Chinese President Xi Jinping received in Beijing on Thursday, July 20, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, hailed in state media as a “legendary diplomatfor enabling the 1970s rapprochement between China and the United States. This meeting comes at a time when relations between the two countries are now at an all-time low despite a recent series of diplomatic visits from the United States.
Recently 100 years old, Henry Kissinger secretly traveled to Beijing in July 1971 to establish ties with Communist China, paving the way for President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to Beijing in 1972. This outstretched hand to China had ended the isolation of the Asian giant and contributed to Beijing’s economic rise to power, the original world stage.
“The Chinese people value friendship, and we will never forget our old friend and your historic contributions to promoting the development of China-US relations and strengthening the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.President Xi told Henry Kissinger on Thursday, according to state broadcaster CCTV. “It not only benefited both countries but also changed the world.added Xi Jinping. “The relationship between China and the United States will forever be associated with the name Kissinger, and the Chinese people will always remember you.he told her too.
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More than a hundred visits to China
CCTV said the former US secretary of state was received in the same room where he worked for a rapprochement with China 50 years ago, in Diaoyutai, the Chinese government’s state villa in Beijing. Henry Kissinger thanked the Chinese president for this symbolic gesture. “The relationship between our two countries will be crucial for the peace of the world and the progress of our society.“, he also said. “Since 1971, Mr. Kissinger has visited China more than 100 timesstate television said Thursday. “On May 27, the legendary diplomat celebrated his 100th birthday, and this visit to China is also the first since he turned 100 years old.“, she added.
Henry Kissinger had been received the day before by the highest Chinese official for diplomacy, Wang Yi. The diplomat especially thanked him for his “historical contribution to the thawing of relations between China and the United States“. “America’s China policy needs Kissinger-style diplomatic wisdom and Nixon-style political courage“Wang Yi had assured his host. While the Asian giant is now the world’s second largest economy, it is “impossible to surround or containChina, the Chinese official insisted.
“Elimination of Misconceptions”
On Tuesday, the former foreign minister met with Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu, who is under US sanctions. During this interview,Kissinger said that in today’s world, challenges and opportunities exist side by side, and the United States and China should eliminate misunderstandings, coexist peacefully and avoid confrontation.“, the new China agency reported.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Henry Kissinger made his fortune after leaving politics advising companies investing in China. He also warned against a hardening of US policy towards Beijing. His visit to China comes at the same time as US climate envoy John Kerry’s visit and following trips by other senior US officials such as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
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