Henry Kissinger in Beijing: Xi Jinping Hosted an Old Friend of China

 

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Chinese Leader Xi Jinping Welcomes Henry Kissinger to Beijing, Nurturing Ties Amidst US-China Relations Strain

Chinese leader Xi Jinping warmly welcomed former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to Beijing, referring to him as an "old friend." 

The meeting, which took place on Thursday, occurred amid the backdrop of efforts to improve the strained relationship between the US and China. 

Kissinger, who is now 100 years old, played a crucial role in the normalization of ties between the two nations during the Cold War era in the 1970s. 

President Xi expressed the Chinese people's deep appreciation for their "old friend" and acknowledged his historic contributions to promoting China-US relations and fostering friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. 

Xi emphasized that Kissinger's efforts not only benefited the two countries but also had a transformative impact on the world. 

With both China and the United States once again standing at a crossroads, Xi stressed the need for both sides to make choices that would shape their future relationship. 

While Kissinger enjoys high regard in China, he remains a controversial figure in the US. 

This contrast was evident during his visit to Beijing, especially in comparison to the reception received by US Climate Envoy John Kerry, whose visit concluded the day before. 

Kerry and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who visited China earlier in July, did not have the opportunity to meet with President Xi. 

However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken did meet with Xi during his visit to Beijing in June. 

Meeting with Li

During his visit, Kissinger also held talks with Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu, who is currently banned from visiting the US due to his involvement in arms sales with Russia. 

Li praised Kissinger's role in opening up US-China ties and pointed out that bilateral relations had recently faced challenges due to "some people on the American side who are not willing to meet China halfway." 

China had previously declined an invitation for Li to meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of a summit in Singapore. 

This prompted the White House National Security Council to express disappointment that a "private citizen" like Kissinger could meet with Li, but not an official representative like Austin. 

Strained US-China Relations

The US-China relationship has been fraught with tension in recent years, with disputes:

• Over Taiwan, 
• Military activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and 
• Economic Disagreements over supply chains and technology access. 

Various incidents have further strained relations, such as:

• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, and 
• A diplomatic row over a Chinese surveillance balloon allegedly drifting over the US.

Progress in the Strained Ties and Background of Henry Kissinger

Despite the challenges, both countries have acknowledged some progress in efforts to improve relations, emphasizing the importance of continued communication. 

Kissinger's visit, conducted in a personal capacity, offers an opportunity for candid discussions on the aspirations and concerns of both sides. 

In 1971, Kissinger's secret visit to Beijing laid the groundwork for a warming of relations with China's communist government. 

The subsequent US engagement contributed significantly to China's rise as a global manufacturing powerhouse and the world's second-largest economy. 

Kissinger was also co-awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his negotiations leading to a ceasefire in the Vietnam War. 

Despite these achievements, some critics have accused Kissinger of being a war criminal due to his involvement in covert bombing campaigns and supporting coups in other countries while ignoring mass atrocities committed by Pakistan during Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)