Prof. ST Hsieh
Director, US-China Energy Industry Forum
626-376-7460
July 19, 2023
Henry Kissinger visits China is a clear indication that “age” is not an issue in politics. Kissinger’s wisdom, diplomatic skill, and strategy in geopolitics need no introduction. But his willingness to make such a long trip to Beijing should be appreciated by all of us.
Kissinger has the unique credential to influence the US-China relation now. Probably, Kissinger is the only one who can get the ears of senior Chinese leaders. However, it is doubtful that US politicians will value his observations and suggestions on how to manage the US-China relation. Unfortunately, many US politicians now do not have the depth and forward-looking capacity as those with Kissinger’s generation.
Time has changed since Kissinger was active in global politics. However, during Kissinger’s term of managing US foreign policy, the US was really on the top of the world. Still, Kissinger ended the US war in Vietnam and opened diplomatic relation with PRC. In contrast, under Biden administration, while the US is declining now, the proxy war in Ukraine is raging with no end in sight. As a consequence of the proxy war, the US effectively facilitated a new PRC-Russia alliance, essentially risking two global wars for the US at the same time. In contrast, Kissinger was able to split the Soviet-PRC alliance fifty years ago that eventually caused the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980’s.
What the US should learn from the past?
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger makes surprise visit to China
Darryl Coote
Wed, July 19, 2023 at 7:08 AM PDT
July 19 (UPI) — Henry Kissinger, a former U.S. secretary of state, made a surprise trip to China where he met with defense and foreign affairs officials.
According to a readout from China’s ministry of defense, Kissinger met Tuesday with Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who is sanctioned by the United States, and said he was visiting “as a friend of China.”
“The United States and China should eliminate misunderstandings, coexist peacefully and avoid confrontation,” Kissinger said during the meeting, according to the ministry.
“History and practice have constantly proved that neither side of the United States or China can afford to take the other party as an opponent. If there is a war between the two countries, it will not bring any meaningful results to the two peoples.”
He apparently called for the two sides to “show wisdom, cooperation and common development” and for their militaries to strengthen communication, put forward efforts to develop bilateral relations and maintain peace and stability.
China state news agency Xinhua reported Wednesday that Kissinger met with Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
“China cherishes its friendship with old friends,” Wang said, adding that relations with the United States are guided by mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.
“These three principles are fundamental and long-term, and are the way for China and the United States to get along correctly as two major countries.”
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Tuesday during a press conference in Washington that officials have known about Kissinger’s trip to Beijing since mid-June when Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to China.
Miller said Kissinger was visiting as a “private citizen.”
“I will say he was there under his own volition, not acting on behalf of the United States,” he said, adding that he is unaware of any meetings the 100-year-old former secretary of state may have. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point he briefs officials here on his conversations. He’s done that a number of times, dating back decades.”
Asked if it’s an issue that Kissinger, now a U.S. citizen, is meeting with a U.S.-sanctioned official, Miller said he doesn’t think it will pose a problem.
“We would object to anyone violating our sanctions, but it is not my understanding that a meeting violates those sanctions,” he said.
“In fact, we have said that we believe our own secretary of defense could meet with the sanctioned defense minister, and that would be appropriate.”
Henry Kissinger is a trending topic right now in China because so many people are surprised he’s 100, alive, and going on business trips
Kwan Wei Kevin Tan
Tue, July 18, 2023 at 11:39 PM PDT
People on China’s Twitter-like Weibo are shocked that the 100-year-old Henry Kissinger still has the stamina to go on international business trips.
“Kissinger is 100 years old but is still able to fly to Beijing for a work trip” became a hit trending topic on Weibo on Wednesday after Kissinger’s surprise visit to Beijing.
“Turns out he’s still alive. I thought he was dead because people in the history books basically are,” wrote another Weibo user.
Others marveled at Kissinger’s stamina at 100.
“He may be old, but he’s still vigorous. Most people at 100 would have trouble eating by themselves,” wrote one Weibo user.
Beijing’s top diplomat tells Kissinger ‘impossible to contain’ China
Wed, July 19, 2023 at 12:35 AM PDT
Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi told Henry Kissinger on Wednesday that it is “impossible to contain or encircle” China, hailing the former US secretary of state’s role in opening up relations between the two powers.
“China’s development has a strong endogenous momentum and inevitable historical logic, and it is impossible to try to transform China, and it is even more impossible to encircle and contain China,” Wang told the 100-year-old Kissinger in a meeting in Beijing, according to a foreign ministry statement.
Kissinger met Tuesday in Beijing with Defence Minister Li Shangfu as part of a surprise visit to China.
“Kissinger said in today’s world, challenges and opportunities coexist, and both the United States and China should eliminate misunderstandings, coexist peacefully, and avoid confrontation,” state news agency Xinhua reported.
“He expressed the hope that both sides will exert wisdom, make every effort to create positive outcomes for the development of bilateral relations, and safeguard world peace and stability,” it added.
China looks to Kissinger meeting to improve strained relations with US
Wed, July 19, 2023 at 3:13 AM PDT
BEIJING (AP) — Amid a steep downturn in relations with the United States, China has looked to a meeting with former U.S. national security adviser and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to revive positive momentum.
The 100-year-old Kissinger met Wednesday with the ruling Communist Party’s diplomat Wang Yi.
On Tuesday, Kissinger held talks with Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who is barred from visiting the U.S. over arms sales he oversaw with Russia.
China’s Defense Ministry quoted Li as praising the role Kissinger played in opening up China-U.S. relations in the early 1970s, but said bilateral ties had hit a low point because of “some people on the American side who are not willing to meet China halfway.”
U.S. leaders say they have no such intentions, but seek only frank dialogue and fair competition in the economic sector.