Editorial | Kissinger’s visit offers glimmer of hope that frayed ties can be repaired
- America’s elder statesman is in a unique position to get a clear understanding of what is on the mind of the Chinese leadership, and Beijing is eager to let him know
In years gone by, Henry Kissinger used to make occasional visits to China as a private United States citizen, and Beijing always rolled out the red carpet to welcome “an old friend”. This month though, the tone of his “private” visit was completely different.
An unmistakable sense of urgency was shown in his meeting with President Xi Jinping such that it even overshadowed the official mission of the US climate policy tsar John Kerry, who did not get to meet Xi.
The Chinese side insisted that Kissinger’s visit was planned for months and its overlap with Kerry’s was a mere coincidence. But that sounds like diplomatic niceties. It’s also significant that he met defence chief General Li Shangfu who is still under US sanctions.
It is as if the centenarian is back in his forte: diplomatic back-channelling. Relations between the two superpowers have become so fraught that one of America’s elder statesmen has to be called in to help prevent further deterioration. As someone respected in both capitals and yet not an official representative, Kissinger may help to convey the thinking on both sides and be able to talk more openly.
The toxic climate in Washington is such that some hardcore China hawks have called him a Chinese communist mouthpiece. While absurd, it shows how far things can slide in volatile US politics today.
