Henry Kissinger, the diplomatic titan who shaped 20th-century geopolitics, passed away at 100 this week – leaving behind a complex legacy that includes being the architect of modern China-U.S. relations. 🕊️ From secret meetings to cultural exchange, his realpolitik approach broke barriers during the Cold War era.
Famous for his 'ping-pong diplomacy' strategy with Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai, Kissinger made over 100 trips to China, earning him the nickname 'old friend of the Chinese people.' His 1971 secret visit with President Richard Nixon thawed icy relations, paving the way for today’s trillion-dollar trade partnerships. 💼
\"We never forget our old friends,\" Chinese President Xi Jinping told Kissinger during their final meeting in July 2023, praising his \"historic contributions\" to cross-Pacific understanding.
While controversial for his Vietnam War role (which won him a Nobel Prize), Kissinger’s China legacy endures as a masterclass in bridge-building. His death sparks global conversations: Can today’s leaders replicate his bold, dialogue-driven diplomacy in our polarized world? 🤔🌐
