Chinese President Xi Jinping met with former US diplomat Henry Kissinger in Beijing on Thursday.whom he described as an “old friend” for his role in the rapprochement between the two countries in the 1970s. This meeting between Xi and the hundred-year-old former Secretary of State comes at a time of strong tension between the United States and China, despite the fact that Washington tried to lower the tension with several visits by high-ranking officials to China in recent weeks.
“Chinese people value friendship, we will never forget our old friend and his historic contribution to promoting the development of China-US relations and advancing friendship between peoples,” Xi told Kissinger, according to state media. Kissinger was a key figure in the historic rapprochement in the 1970s between China, led by Mao Tse-Tung, and the United States.
As National Security Adviser, he secretly traveled to Beijing in July 1971 to prepare for the establishment of diplomatic relations with China and pave the way for US President Richard Nixon’s historic tour in 1972.
“The world is currently experiencing changes that have not been seen in a century,” said the Chinese president, adding: “China and the United States are once again at a crossroads and both parties must make a decision”.
Kissinger he thanked Xi for hosting him at the Diaoyutai residence, in the same building he occupied in 1971.”The relations between our two countries will be central to peace in the world and for the progress of our societies”, affirmed the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Kissinger made his fortune advising companies with investments in China and spoke out against toughening US policy toward Beijing. The former Secretary of State is a visionary for his admirers, but for his critics a war criminal, questioned, among other issues, by his support for coups in Uruguay, Chile and Argentina.
