It is unclear how long Kissinger will be in Beijing or whether he will meet other officials, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Xi and Kissinger met in Beijing in 2019, when Xi told Kissinger that he hoped he would “enjoy many more healthy years ahead and continue to be a promoter and contributor to the Sino-American system”. according to XinhuaChina’s state news agency.
Wu Xinbo, dean of international studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said that China’s warmth towards Kissinger sent a message of China’s importance to “old friends”. . That friendship contrasts with the more aggressive stance toward Beijing of recent US presidential administrations.
“This symbolism is very important,” he said. “I think Kissinger’s visit to China is intended to send a signal that China-US relations should be viewed from a historical perspective.” “You can’t just pay attention to short-term political needs,” he added.
In a similar way, Professor Wu said, Kissinger’s meeting with Li, the defense minister, was another reminder to the United States that China would not resume direct military-to-military communications with the United States. military until the United States lifts sanctions. Chinese officials declined Blinken’s request to reopen those channels during his visit.
The Chinese Defense Ministry’s statement on the meeting with Kissinger said that Mr. Li criticized “some people in the United States” for “not meeting China halfway”, noting that the atmosphere of friendly communication had destroyed”.
Chinese state media have been full of praise for Kissinger.
In one May articleOn the occasion of Kissinger’s 100th birthday, the Global Times, a nationalist tabloid run by the party, said Kissinger was “legendary” and “still keeps his wonderful mind sharp” in US-China relations by explicitly warning Washington” of an adversarial relationship.
Bronze Joy And Amy Chang Chien contribution research.
