He is one of the most influential diplomats in American history, he is an important promoter of the normalization of Sino-American relations, he is an old friend of the Chinese people, he is Henry Kissinger. On the evening of November 29, Kissinger Consulting issued a statement that former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger died at his home in Connecticut at the age of 100.
This news quickly attracted our great attention, because for at least three generations of Chinese, the name Kissinger has a special historical significance. He has made great contributions to the friendship and cooperation between China and the United States, and has also witnessed the ups and downs and changes in China-US relations.
His last visit to China was in November 2019, when he met with Chinese leaders and expressed his expectations and concerns about U.S.-China relations. He took one last look at China and quietly leftHis death is not only a great loss to the US diplomatic community, but also the end of a period of history in Sino-US relations.
Kissinger was born on May 27, 1923 in Fürth, Bavaria, Germany, to a Jewish family. In 1938, he and his family immigrated to the United States to escape Nazi persecution. In 1943, he became an American citizen and served in the military as a German translator. After the war, he entered Harvard University to Xi and earned a doctorate in political science.
His Ph.D.**, The World Reconstructed: Metternich, Cassuri, and the Problem of Peace 1812-22, is considered the longest in Harvard history and laid the foundation for his diplomatic thought. He advocated a realistic attitude to maintain the stability and balance of the international system and prevent hegemonism on either side.
Kissinger began teaching at Harvard in 1954 and became a prominent scholar of international relations. He was also politically engaged, serving as an adviser to New York Governor Rockefeller and advising on Nixon's leadership campaign.
In 1969, after Nixon was elected leader, he appointed Kissinger as assistant for affairs and later as secretary of state. Kissinger played a central role in the leadership of Nixon and Ford, formulating US foreign policy and dealing with major international issues such as the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, and the Middle East.
His diplomatic style is known for being flexible, resourceful, and decisive, and has won both praise and criticism at home and abroad. In 1977, Kissinger stepped down as secretary of state, but he did not withdraw from the public eye. He founded Kissinger Consulting, which provides strategic and business consulting to countries and businesses.
He also frequently expressed his views and suggestions on the international situation, especially on the development of Sino-US relations. He has visited China many times to communicate with Chinese leaders and think tanks to promote dialogue and cooperation between China and the United States. He has also published a number of best-selling memoirs and monographs, among which the book "On China" records his fate and insights with China in detail, which has attracted wide attention and discussion.
Kissinger's relations with China are arguably one of the most important diplomatic achievements of his life. In July 1971, Kissinger, as the special envoy of the Nixon leader, made a secret visit to Beijing and held historic talks with China, opening the door to the normalization of Sino-American relations.
In February 1972, President Nixon was invited to visit China, met with Chinese leaders, and signed the Shanghai Communiqué, ending 23 years of hostility between China and the United States and opening a new chapter in Sino-US relations. Kissinger played a key role in this process and established deep friendships with Chinese leaders.
During his tenure as secretary of state, Kissinger has always been committed to promoting the development of Sino-US relations and promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic, cultural, and security fields. He supported the United States' recognition of the People's Republic of China, the termination of military aid to Taiwan, and the agreement that the People's Republic of China would replace China's seat in the United Nations.
He also supported China in playing a greater role in international affairs, opposing the expansionism of the Soviet Union, and safeguarding peace and stability in Asia. He also actively participated in the coordination and communication between China and the United States on issues such as North Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and contributed to the resolution of conflicts and crises in these regions.
After leaving the post of secretary of state, Kissinger continued to show concern and concern about the trend of Sino-US relations, continued to visit China, and maintained good communication and friendship with Chinese leaders.
He has said on many occasions that China-US relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world today, and the two countries should strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual trust, cooperate to deal with various global challenges, and avoid confrontation and conflict.
He also believes that China's development is an opportunity for the world, not a threat, and that the United States should respect China's core interests, understand China's history and culture, and seek win-win and coexistence with China. These views of his have a positive impact and effect on promoting understanding and friendship between China and the United States.
Kissinger was a great diplomat and a sincere friend. His life has left an indelible mark on the development of Sino-US relations and provided us with valuable experience and enlightenment. His passing makes us deeply regret and grieve, and it also makes us cherish and safeguard the achievements and prospects of Sino-US relations even more. We are willing to work with the United States to inherit and carry forward Kissinger's diplomatic spirit and push Sino-US relations forward in the right direction.