A former U.S. official surprised Beijing with a visit and Chinese officials are singing his praises.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger—now 100-years-old—met with Li Shangfu Tuesday. During that meeting, Mr. Li encouraged the U.S. to exercise what he called sound strategic judgment in dealing with China.
One day later, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said Washington needs “Kissinger-style diplomatic wisdom” in its China policies. Likewise, China quoted Mr. Kissinger as saying he was “here as a friend of China.”
Mr. Kissinger served as U.S. Secretary of State and national security advisor under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. During that time, he pushed for policies that leaned toward appeasing China.
That friendlier approach played a key diplomatic role in the 1970s as Washington and Beijing normalized their ties.
Given that history, Chinese officials received Kissinger warmly. Far more so than during recent visits by current U.S. officials.