Henry Kissinger Meets With Xi in Surprise Beijing Visit

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Facts

  • Former US Sec. of State Henry Kissinger made a surprise visit to Beijing this week, where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday. Earlier this week, he met with diplomat Wang Yi and defense minister Li Shangfu.1
  • Xi referred to Kissinger as an 'old friend' during their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a more intimate venue than is used for greeting dignitaries. Kissinger is highly respected in China for his role in normalizing US-China relations in the 1970s2
  • The meetings with Wang Yi and Li Shangfu emphasized the need for 'peaceful co-existence' with the US, according to reports, with Kissinger being quoted as saying he is a 'friend of China.' The 100-year-old statesman has visited China more than 100 times, last meeting Xi in 2019.1
  • While it is unknown what the two discussed, media accounts report that Kissinger emphasized the importance of the 'one China principle,' referring to Beijing's claim over self-ruling Taiwan. Pres. Biden's Taiwan policy has routinely raised the ire of Beijing.3
  • A succession of high-profile Americans have visited China in recent months to help restore damaged relations between the two countries. Former Sec. of State John Kerry was rebuffed by Xi during his Chinese trip this week, while US Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin was unable to secure a visit with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu earlier this year.3
  • Chinese state media quotes Kissinger as saying that the US-China relationship is 'a matter of world peace,' with Xi saying China was 'willing to discuss' ways to improve the relationship. Washington has said that Kissinger's trip was a private visit.4

Sources: 1BBC News, 2CNBC, 3Wall Street Journal and 4Reuters.

Narratives

  • Pro-China narrative, as provided by XINHUA. The warm reception China has given Kissinger is a reminder that China is willing to engage with anyone engaging with the PRC in good faith. Kissinger played an indispensable role in China-US relations, and his presence will always be welcomed in China. The US must engage with China based on principles of respect and mutual recognition, which it has thus far failed to do. Kissinger has long been a champion of the 'one China' policy.
  • Anti-China narrative, as provided by FOX News. China reaching out to Kissinger is a sign of desperation, as Beijing turns to a centenarian diplomat to try and shore up its shrinking credibility on the world stage. Kissinger's influence in Washington is much diminished compared to earlier years, and his pleas for striking a conciliatory path with China may fall flat. Amidst a trend of global hesitance about China, this effort was a last-ditch attempt to restore goodwill with the US.

Predictions