Xi called Henry Kissinger an old friend he will never forget.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met former well-known United States (US) diplomat Henry Kissinger. During the meeting, Xi called Kissinger an old friend who will never be forgotten.
Xi and Kissinger met in a relaxed and warm situation in Beijing on Thursday (20/7/2023). The meeting comes amid efforts by Beijing and Washington to mend relations that have been strained.
“Once again, China and the US are at a crossroads of where to go from here, and again, both sides need to make a choice,” Xi told Kissinger.
Kissinger played a key diplomatic role in normalizing relations between Washington and Beijing in the 1970s. At that time Kissinger served as secretary of state and national security adviser under the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Kissinger recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary and has visited China more than 100 times. Xi said Kissinger’s visit this time had special meaning.
“The Chinese people have never forgotten their old friend, and China-US relations will always be associated with the name of Henry Kissinger,” Xi said at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Kissinger is highly respected in China and has paid regular visits since leaving office. Kissinger said he was grateful Beijing had arranged a meeting in the building where he met Chinese leaders during his first visit.
“The relationship between our two countries is a matter of world peace and the advancement of human society,” China’s official Xinhua news agency quoted Kissinger as saying.
“Under the current circumstances, it is extremely important to maintain the principles laid down by the Shanghai Communique, appreciate the importance China adheres to the one-China principle, and move relations in a positive direction,” Kissinger told the meeting.
Kissinger’s visit to China comes at a time when the two superpowers are starting to improve their relationship so as not to sink further. US-China relations have reached a historic low.
“China is willing to discuss with the US side the proper way for the two countries to get along and promote the steady progress of China-US relations,” Xi said.
Xi said China and the US can achieve success and prosperity together. He emphasized that the key to harmonious relations between the two countries is to follow the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Kissinger also met with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi and Defense Minister, Li Shangfu. Kissinger’s trip was a private visit.
Tensions between the US and China have increased over a variety of issues, including wars in Ukraine, Taiwan and trade restrictions. Washington has tried to re-establish channels of communication through high-level diplomatic visits.
US presidential envoy John Kerry concluded long talks with Beijing on fighting climate change on Wednesday (19/7/2023). Meanwhile Foreign Minister Antony Blinken last month also traveled to Beijing.
Source : Republika
