Chinese President Xi Jinping Meets with Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in Effort to Repair Relations
BEIJING, July 20 (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping and former U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger met in Beijing on Thursday, with Xi expressing that “old friends” like Kissinger will never be forgotten. The meeting between the two influential figures comes amidst ongoing efforts by China and the United States to mend frayed ties.
During their meeting, President Xi highlighted the importance of the choices that both China and the U.S. need to make as they stand at a crossroads in their relationship. Kissinger, who played a key role in normalizing relations between the two countries in the 1970s, was in agreement with Xi’s sentiments.
Xi emphasized the significance of Kissinger’s visit, noting that the Chinese people never forget their old friends and that Sino-U.S. relations will always be associated with the name of Henry Kissinger. The meeting took place at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a location often used to receive foreign dignitaries.
Kissinger, who is highly respected in China and has made numerous visits to the country since leaving office, expressed his gratitude to Beijing for arranging the meeting at a place where he had previously met with Chinese leaders. He stressed that the relationship between the two countries is crucial for world peace and the progress of human society.
Both Xi and Kissinger acknowledged the importance of maintaining the principles established by the Shanghai Communique and the one-China principle. They emphasized the need to move the relationship in a positive direction and discussed the right way for the two countries to coexist and promote steady progress in China-U.S. relations.
Kissinger’s visit comes at a time when tensions between the world’s two largest economies have escalated over various issues such as the war in Ukraine, Taiwan, and trade restrictions. The meeting with Kissinger is seen as part of Washington’s efforts to reestablish communication channels on these and other pressing matters.
In recent months, there have been high-profile diplomatic visits between the U.S. and China, including U.S. presidential envoy John Kerry’s talks on climate change and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing. These visits signal a renewed effort to alleviate tensions between the two countries.
The meeting between President Xi Jinping and Henry Kissinger underscores the importance of open dialogue and mutual understanding in resolving differences and improving bilateral relations. As the world closely watches the developments between China and the United States, it is hoped that these diplomatic efforts will contribute to stability and cooperation in the global arena.
Reporting by Ethan Wang, Ryan Woo, and Bernard Orr; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Kim Coghill