Kissinger is not easy, coming to China for a business trip at the age of 100. Li Shangfu | USA | Kissinger

Author: Zheng Aotian

On July 18th, State Councilor and Minister of Defense Li Shangfu met with visiting former US Secretary of State Kissinger in Beijing. This is the first time that Kissinger has set foot on the land of China after his 100th birthday.

On July 19th, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office, met with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in Beijing.

In the past 50 years, Kissinger has visited China more than a hundred times. What are the differences during this visit to China?

·On July 19, 2023, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office, met with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

"I come as a friend of China"

Wang Yi stated that the doctor has made historic contributions to the breaking development of China US relations and plays an irreplaceable role in enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries. The Chinese side cherishes the friendship established with old friends.China's development has a strong endogenous driving force and inevitable historical logic. It is impossible to attempt to transform China, and it is even more impossible to contain and contain China. The US policy towards China requires Kissinger style diplomatic wisdom and Nixon style political courage.

Wang Yi expounded China's position on the Taiwan issue, stressing that one China is the most fundamental status quo of the Taiwan issue, that "Taiwan independence" is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait, and that the one-China principle set out in the Shanghai Communique must be abided. If the US side sincerely hopes for stability in the Taiwan Strait, it should take actions to clearly and openly oppose "Taiwan independence" and draw a clear line from the separatist acts of "Taiwan independence.

Kissinger stated that both the United States and China have the ability to influence the world, and maintaining stable relations between the United States and China is crucial to world peace, stability, and human well-being. Regardless of the difficulty, both parties should treat each other equally, maintain contact, and attempting to isolate or isolate the other party is unacceptable. One China is a serious commitment made by the United States in the Shanghai Communique, and we believe it will not be shaken or abandoned. Although I do not hold public office, I am concerned about the US China relationship and support the recent efforts of both sides to improve the relationship.

During the previous meeting with Li Shangfu, Kissinger said that my visit is as a friend of China. In today's world, challenges and opportunities coexist, and both the United States and China should eliminate misunderstandings, coexist peacefully, and avoid confrontation. History and practice have continuously proven that neither the United States nor China can afford to treat each other as opponents. If there is a war between the two countries, it will not bring any meaningful results to the people of both countries.

Kissinger also stated that understanding and handling the US China relationship well, especially reversing the current difficult situation, requires broad thinking and historical and philosophical thinking. Both sides need to come up with wisdom, cooperate and develop together. The two militaries should strengthen communication, do their best to create positive results for the development of the bilateral relationship, and maintain world peace and stability.

·On July 18, 2023, State Councilor and Minister of Defense Li Shangfu met with former US Secretary of State Kissinger in Beijing.

Recently, Kissinger has repeatedly expressed concerns about the current status of China US relations.

On May 17, 2023, Kissinger stated in an interview with foreign media that the relationship between China and the United States seems to have "broken down", and there is a possibility of conflict between the two sides. He emphasized that the fate of humanity depends on whether the United States and China can coexist peacefully, and called on both sides to maintain "calm diplomacy"

On May 27th, Kissinger reminded the United States not to misunderstand China's "ambition" in an interview, stating that China is seeking security, not "world domination". The United States needs to restrain blind confrontation and seek dialogue with China.

On June 16th, Kissinger emphasized in an interview that China and the United States are "standing on the edge of a cliff" and that the current trajectory of their relationship must change. He also said that Antony Blinken's visit to China seemed to reflect the signs of "diplomatic return" between China and the United States, but the United States has not yet started "the kind of dialogue I suggested" with China.

Some media believe that this is one of Kissinger's most pessimistic comments on China US relations in recent years.

Kissinger also warned that the current United States places too much emphasis on its own interests and neglects global interests. "Anyone who wants to formulate a serious US foreign policy must find a balance between the two, otherwise the United States will be isolated."

·In 2023, Kissinger sat in his office.

Thomas Schwartz, the latest biographer of Kissinger and a history professor at Vanderbilt University, stated in an interview with Global Times that Kissinger had provided the United States with a "roadmap on how to maintain balance among major powers.".

"American politicians have not been able to answer some basic questions: What are the goals of the United States to strengthen China? Why are these goals to be achieved? We should consider the background, consequences of foreign policy, and whether it truly aligns with American interests. We lack such thinking now," Schwartz said, "and Kissinger has provided such thinking for the United States for a period of time."

"Maintaining tireless vitality"

On May 27th, at Kissinger's centenary banquet, his son David Kissinger said, "He not only lived longer than most of his colleagues, sharp critics, and students, but also maintained an indefatigable vitality."

In 2021, 98 year old Kissinger published his latest book "The Age of Artificial Intelligence and Our Human Future". In the book, he is worried about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, just as he worked tirelessly to avoid a nuclear war when he was young.

·Kissinger's 100th birthday card.

Kissinger held formal positions in American politics for a short period of time, but he enjoys high authority in the field of American diplomacy. "Both President Nixon and President Ford have granted Kissinger high diplomatic authority, and subsequent presidents have also sought Kissinger's help on important matters." Schwartz said, "Many of Kissinger's diplomatic activities are still in a period of confidentiality, so we do not know how much Kissinger is involved in many important diplomatic affairs. However, it can be certain that Kissinger has played an extremely important role in US foreign affairs over the past few decades."

"As a diplomat, Kissinger has never been a 'soldier', but always a 'commander'. He enjoys a high degree of autonomy in diplomatic activities." Schwartz believes that "from some perspectives, Kissinger's diplomatic reputation and influence are comparable to those of the President of the United States. This not only allows him to make independent diplomatic decisions, but also makes other countries, including China, pay more attention to his role in diplomacy."

Kissinger had a rich life experience. In his childhood, he immigrated from Germany to the United States to escape Nazi persecution. During World War II, he served as a US Army officer to liberate the Alam Nazi concentration camp. In 1969, he became Nixon's National Security Advisor and later served as Secretary of State, playing an important role in the development of Sino US relations.

·Kissinger during his tenure as Secretary of State.

Kissinger is often referred to as "Dr. Kissinger" by the outside world, and he himself is happy to accept this title. In an interview, he said, "I consider myself more of a historian than a politician." This special identity has made Kissinger pay more attention to the rise and fall of civilization in history and provided him with a new perspective on international relations.

"Kissinger's focus has never been on narrow and personalized political concepts, but on how to establish an international order that can maintain lasting peace and stability." Schwartz said, "He regards peace as the highest goal and does his best to avoid wars between major powers, striving to find a balance between competing nations."

Kissinger's teacher and American international relations scholar Hans Morgenthau once referred to him as a "multi-dimensional person.". Schwartz believed that in specific diplomatic affairs, Kissinger was a "master of compromise" who knew how to end disputes under limited conditions.

Schwartz said, "It's hard to describe Kissinger with a single label. In many foreign affairs, he may be both a 'dove' and a 'hawk'. This complexity can confuse some and make others admire him. Kissinger is often attacked by different forces in the United States, but his diplomatic achievements are recognized by the majority of Americans.". After all, ordinary Americans still hope for stability and peace.

In the eyes of the Chinese people, Kissinger is undoubtedly the first politician to serve the national interests of the United States. But he has made positive contributions to the development of China US relations for a long time. The sustained, healthy and stable development of China US relations is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

"He does not represent the US government"

On July 18th, the US State Department responded to Kissinger's visit to China.

"He acted out of his own will, not on behalf of the US government. I have nothing more to disclose about this visit," US State Department spokesperson Miller said at a press conference.

Since Nixon, every President of the United States has invited Kissinger to meet at the White House. In July 2022, Kissinger revealed in an interview that he had not received an invitation from Biden.

"I don't think it's necessary for the president to seek advice from me," Kissinger said. But he added that if Biden really consults with him, he hopes Biden can identify "our common crisis and goals" and make ending the Ukrainian crisis the "main task".

·In 1971, Kissinger was contemplating.

"In today's American political arena, there are still some people who consider themselves to be Kissinger's' students', and we occasionally see the term 'Kissinger style diplomatic plan' in newspapers. Unfortunately, today's US foreign policy is in a polarized state. Some people in the United States still agree with Kissinger's values, but in today's political environment, it is difficult to see Kissinger style diplomatic ideas," Schwartz said.

Schwartz believes that the United States needs diplomats with a historical perspective like Kissinger: "Kissinger's perception of historical trends enables him to be more patient, restrained, and rational in foreign affairs. He knows that while pursuing a grand goal, he should also understand the diversity of human society and culture, and understand that we cannot be 'judges' in everything. But I believe that it is difficult for diplomats like Kissinger to appear in today's United States."