Politician · person

Henry Kissinger on Xi Jinping

Advocate for stable US-China ties (strong)

TL;DR

Henry Kissinger views Xi Jinping as a key figure whose leadership is essential for stabilizing the critical China-U.S. relationship.

Key Points

He was honored by Xi Jinping in July 2023, shortly after celebrating his 100th birthday.
He expressed his commitment to making continuous efforts to facilitate mutual understanding between American and Chinese peoples in a July 2023 meeting.
He was credited by Xi Jinping in November 2019 for his important contributions in history toward normalizing China-U.S. relations.

Summary

Henry Kissinger regards Xi Jinping as a necessary partner for navigating the current "crossroads" in U.S.-China relations, a moment he sees as requiring a new strategic decision comparable to the normalization of ties a half-century prior. Kissinger has consistently emphasized the importance of finding the right path forward, rooted in mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. The former Secretary of State, who has visited China over one hundred times, was personally honored by Xi Jinping, who referred to him as an "old friend and good friend of the Chinese people," acknowledging his historic contributions to bilateral ties. Kissinger has expressed appreciation for this connection and his commitment to facilitating mutual understanding between the two nations, hoping to steer the relationship in a positive direction.

Kissinger’s engagement, including a meeting in July 2023 on his 100th birthday, demonstrates his persistent belief that high-level strategic dialogue with Xi is vital for global peace and prosperity. His position is framed by an appreciation for China’s perspective as a "returning power" rather than a rising challenger, a view he frequently shared. While the Chinese perspective shows political nostalgia for the era Kissinger helped establish, his continuous outreach reflects a belief that his framework, emphasizing humility in ideology and respecting core Chinese principles like the One-China policy, remains the best blueprint for managing contemporary great power competition with the current Chinese leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Henry Kissinger's position on Xi Jinping?

Henry Kissinger views Xi Jinping as an essential counterpart whose leadership is necessary to navigate current U.S.-China tensions. He actively seeks dialogue with Xi to ensure the relationship moves in a positive direction based on established strategic principles.

Has Henry Kissinger changed his stance on Xi Jinping?

Kissinger's fundamental stance of advocating for high-level engagement and strategic stability with China has remained consistent over the years. His recent focus, however, is on guiding the current relationship under Xi's leadership back toward the foundational principles of the past.

What did Henry Kissinger say about Xi Jinping in their 2023 meeting?

During their July 2023 meeting, Kissinger expressed appreciation for Xi Jinping’s reception and stressed the need to abide by the principles of the Shanghai Communiqué. He reiterated the vital importance of the U.S.-China relationship for global peace and prosperity under the current leadership.