Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State, celebrated his 100th birthday on June 20, 2023, and was surprised with a visit to Beijing by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Kissinger, who visited China over 100 times since his first visit in 1971, played a crucial role in normalizing relations between the US and China at a critical turning point in history. During their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Xi praised Kissinger’s historic contribution to the development of China-US relations and friendship between the two peoples. Kissinger expressed his gratitude for the meeting and emphasized the importance of the relationship between the two countries for world peace and progress.
The meeting between Kissinger and Xi comes at a time when US-China relations have deteriorated significantly in recent years. The fact that Kissinger was granted an audience with Xi, while current US Secretary of State John Kerry was not, highlights the high regard China’s leadership has for Kissinger. This visit also follows a series of trips by US cabinet officials to China, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, with only Blinken securing a meeting with Xi.
Experts suggest that China’s emphasis on unofficial people-to-people relations with the US is becoming more crucial than official diplomatic channels. Xi’s meetings with influential figures like Kissinger and philanthropist Bill Gates, and his recent meeting with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, are seen as signals to the outside world that China is willing to engage with those who speak out for China’s interests. The setting of the meetings also plays a role in shaping the narrative and optics of the relationship.
Overall, Kissinger’s visit and meeting with Xi symbolize the importance of maintaining channels of communication and friendship between the US and China, especially during a time of strained relations.