The 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.
- 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 1970s
- 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.
Sources Split
LEFT
CENTER
RIGHT
+1
ESTAB
CRIT
CENTER
PRO
ESTAB
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
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
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.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 19% chance there will be a US-China war before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.