A Century of Modern History Ends... Henry Kissinger, Who Changed US Cold War History, Passes Away

Passed away at age 100... Died at home in Connecticut
Key figure in 1970s US-China Ping-Pong Diplomacy
Voiced support for improving bilateral relations until recently

Henry Kissinger, a world-renowned diplomatic scholar who was regarded as a living witness to 20th-century modern history and played a key role in the U.S.-China d?tente of the 1970s, passed away on the 29th (local time) at the age of 100.

On December 2, 1975, U.S. President Gerald Ford, visiting the Chairman's residence in Beijing, China, watches as Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong and U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger shake hands.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Kissinger Associates announced that former Secretary Kissinger died at his home in Connecticut, USA.

Kissinger, a German-born American diplomat, served as National Security Advisor in 1971 and played a decisive role in facilitating former U.S. President Richard Nixon's visit to China. Known as one of America’s foremost China experts, he visited China more than 100 times and led the "ping-pong diplomacy" between the U.S. and China, who had been in sharp conflict at the time. Following Nixon’s visit to China, the path was opened for U.S.-China diplomatic relations in 1972, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of formal diplomatic ties in 1979. In recognition of these achievements, Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973.

He also promoted d?tente between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union, successfully concluding the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT).

Having celebrated his 100th birthday last May, former Secretary Kissinger expressed in an interview with The Economist that "the future of humanity depends on U.S.-China relations," and he continued to advocate for improving relations between the two countries until recently. He compared the current situation to the period just before the outbreak of World War I and emphasized that the two nations must resolve conflicts through dialogue.

Recently, Kissinger showed great interest in the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) and stated that the U.S. and China should discuss this issue. He argued that since AI technology has already been disclosed, both countries should work to enhance deterrence regarding AI military capabilities, similar to nuclear arms reduction.

Kissinger is survived by his wife Nancy Maginnes Kissinger, with whom he was married for 50 years, two children from his first marriage, and five grandchildren.

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