Title: Former U.S. Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, Engages in Diplomatic Talks with Chinese Officials in Beijing
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In a notable display of diplomatic outreach, former U.S. Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, has embarked on a visit to Beijing, China. Although it remains uncertain how long his stay will last, there are speculations of potential meetings with high-ranking officials, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This visit holds significance as it follows a meeting between Mr. Xi and Mr. Kissinger back in 2019, during which the Chinese President expressed his desire for Kissinger’s continued efforts as a promoter and contributor to Sino-U.S. relations. Documentation from Xinhua, China’s state news agency, confirmed the warm exchange between the two influential figures.
Experts assert that China’s warm reception of Kissinger sends a crucial message regarding the importance China places on longstanding friendships. This affable gesture also stands in contrast to the more confrontational approach adopted by recent U.S. presidential administrations towards Beijing. Wu Xinbo, the dean of international studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, suggested that Kissinger’s visit underscores the necessity of viewing China-U.S. relations from a historical perspective rather than focusing solely on short-term political needs.
Furthermore, Kissinger’s meeting with Chinese Defense Minister, Mr. Li, serves as a reminder to the United States that China will not entertain direct military-to-military communications until sanctions imposed by the U.S. are lifted. When U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had requested the reopening of these channels during his visit, Chinese officials had vehemently declined. In their statement about the meeting with Kissinger, the Chinese defense ministry criticized certain U.S. individuals for their failure to meet China halfway, expressing that the atmosphere for friendly communication had been “destroyed.”
Chinese state media has also actively praised the centenarian diplomat. On the occasion of Kissinger’s 100th birthday in May, the Global Times, a nationalistic party-run tabloid, hailed him as “legendary” and capable of keeping his “great mind razor-sharp on U.S.-China relations” while issuing explicit warnings against an adversarial relationship.
As Mr. Kissinger engages in these diplomatic talks, it is hoped that his visit will contribute to fostering a deeper understanding and collaborative approach between China and the United States. Both nations face numerous challenges on the global stage, and it is imperative for them to find common ground in order to tackle pressing global issues effectively.
Contributors to this article: Joy Dong and Amy Chang Chien.