| 21 July 2023
In a surprising turn of events, former top diplomat and statesman, Henry Kissinger, received a warm welcome from Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to the Chinese capital. As the United States seeks to forge closer ties with China, Mr. Kissinger's visit holds particular significance, given his pivotal role in helping China emerge from diplomatic isolation in the 1970s.
At 100 years old, Mr. Kissinger's age did not deter him from making this significant trip, and it comes amidst a flurry of visits by other high-ranking US officials to China. While the US government has emphasized that this visit is in his capacity as a private citizen, Mr. Kissinger's stature and long-standing relationship with China suggest that he could serve as a valuable backchannel for US-China negotiations.
The meeting between Mr. Kissinger and President Xi took place at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a more intimate setting than the usual venue for official meetings with foreign diplomats at the Great Hall of the People. Diaoyutai holds historical significance, as it was where Kissinger had secretly met Chinese officials half a century ago, marking the beginning of the normalization of US-China relations.
The warm tone of President Xi's welcome was mirrored by other top officials who met Mr. Kissinger during his visit. Chinese state media portrayed the event positively, and on social media, there was admiration for Kissinger's stamina and discussion around the hashtag "Kissinger can still fly to Beijing for a business trip despite being 100 years old."
Despite his age, Mr. Kissinger's presence holds diplomatic weight. As a private citizen, he can engage in frank discussions with Chinese officials, allowing him to present US concerns and demands with more leeway. This could facilitate dialogue and understanding between the two superpowers.
Over the past few months, US-China relations have been strained, but the recent visit of top US officials to China signals a potential turning point. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US special envoy for climate John Kerry have also visited Beijing, though only Kissinger had the privilege of meeting President Xi. This underscores the respect and admiration Kissinger still commands in China, making him an influential figure for diplomatic engagement.
Despite his controversial reputation in other parts of Asia due to his involvement in the Vietnam War, Kissinger remains highly esteemed in China for his instrumental role in opening up China to the world. His clandestine visits to Beijing in the early 1970s laid the groundwork for the historic meeting between then-US President Richard Nixon and top Chinese leaders, including Mao Zedong, ultimately leading to the normalization of US-China relations and China's economic transformation.
While Beijing's warm reception of Kissinger suggests a desire for increased engagement with the US, experts caution that fundamental drivers of US-China relations will be dictated by each nation's national interests. Nevertheless, Mr. Kissinger's visit holds symbolic significance, reminding both countries of their shared history and the potential for continued cooperation amidst geopolitical complexities.
As Kissinger concludes his visit to China, the world will closely monitor any potential impacts on the path to diplomatic reconciliation between the United States and China. While diplomatic relations between these two global powers are multifaceted, the meeting between Mr. Kissinger and President Xi stands as a hopeful sign of continued dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
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