Published : 2023-11-10
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger passed away at home at the age of 100 on November 29.
Kissinger had close relationships with several Chinese leaders and was known as an "old friend of the Chinese people". He had visited China more than 100 times during his lifetime.
In 1971, Kissinger made his first and secret visit to China, marking the start of the "ice-breaking journey" between China and the U.S.
Chinese President Xi Jinping once said that Kissinger made a historic contribution to the friendship between the people of China and the United States.
Secret visit to China codenamed "Operation Marco Polo"
Kissinger led a legendary life. During the presidencies of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, Kissinger served as the U.S. National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.
Ford awarded Kissinger the Presidential Medal of Freedom and praised him as "the greatest Secretary of State in American history".
Chinese media refer to Kissinger as a "legendary diplomat". He made a secret visit to China in 1971, opening the door to interaction between the long-isolated countries of China and the U.S.
On July 9, 1971, a civilian airliner from Pakistan quietly landed at Beijing Nanyuan Airport. The secret guest on the plane was Nixon's emissary and National Security Advisor, Kissinger.
Why from Pakistan? Because Kissinger was visiting China secretly during his visit to Pakistan, and it was carefully arranged.
In his book "On China", Kissinger revealed that with the help of Pakistani President Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan, he pretended to have a stomachache and needed to rest at the presidential villa, and after eluding the pursuing journalists, he took a 4 a.m. flight to Beijing.
This secret visit was codenamed "Operation Marco Polo". The name suggests that the trip was like Marco Polo visiting the East 700 years ago, full of unpredictable difficulties and risks, and its goal was to pave the way for Nixon's visit to China.
At the time, China and the U.S. were in a hostile state. But due to the deterioration of China-Soviet relations and the U.S's disadvantage in the U.S.-Soviet rivalry, both China and the U.S. needed to strengthen communication and interaction.
Nixon took the initiative to reconcile with China, hoping to get help from China to exit the Vietnam War and counter the Soviet Union.
Read more: Kissinger's secret visit to China
Kissinger stayed in Beijing for 48 hours and had more than 17 hours of talks with Premier Zhou Enlai.
"Premier Zhou personally came to see us, which was a great honor," he recalled in his book.
Kissinger also mentioned that the Chinese delegation was not tense at all when receiving the secret visit. They were calm and generous, as if receiving an envoy of the American president was the most natural thing.
This "casual" attitude of the Chinese side, on the contrary, gave him some pressure.
Eventually, Kissinger and the Chinese side jointly facilitated President Nixon's "ice-breaking visit" to China in 1972.
Kissinger received the highest courtesy during his visit
From 1971 to the present, spanning half a century, Kissinger visited China more than 100 times and is a well-known figure in China.
In July 2023, 100-year-old Kissinger visited China again and received the highest courtesy as a private person.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with him at Building No. 5 of the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing.
Xi Jinping specifically pointed out that, Chinese people value relationships and righteousness, and they will never forget their old friend. The historical contributions that Kissinger has made to promote the development of China-U.S. relations and the friendship between the people of the two nations will be remembered.
It is worth mentioning that Building No. 5 of the Diaoyutai State Guest House is the exact same place where Kissinger first visited China and met with Chinese leaders 52 years ago.
Regarding Kissinger's death, China's Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng expressed his shock and sadness.
Xie Feng emphasised that history will remember the contributions Kissinger made to China-U.S. relations, and he will always be the most treasured old friend in the hearts of Chinese people.
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