'Pingpong Diplomacy' Sparks Warm Condolences for US Kissinger in China... High Praise for 'Lao Fengyou'

Key Figure in 1970s US-China Diplomacy
CCTV Airs Footage of Late Sheng Yi
Xi Jinping Sends Condolence Message to Biden

Following the passing of former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, waves of mourning have continued in China. State-run media urgently and prominently reported the news of Kissinger's death, highlighting his role in leading the 'Ping-Pong Diplomacy' between the United States and China in the 1970s.

China Central Television (CCTV) aired a 1 minute and 57 seconds video on the morning of the 30th (local time) reflecting on the late statesman's life. In the video, CCTV praised him, saying, "Former Secretary Kissinger is called a 'living fossil' (活化石) demonstrating the development of Sino-American relations," and "He made possible President Richard Nixon's official visit to China, achieving the 'handshake across the Pacific' that shook the world."

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger [Photo by Yonhap News]

China News Network referred to Kissinger as a 'witness to Sino-American relations,' emphasizing that he visited China 100 times during his lifetime. The Xin Jing Bao reported, "Dr. Kissinger secretly visited China in 1971 and facilitated President Nixon's visit to China in 1972."

On the Chinese portal site Baidu, news of Kissinger's death ranked first in real-time search terms that afternoon. Xie Feng, the Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., also wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "I am shocked and saddened by the passing of former Secretary Kissinger," adding, "It is a great loss to the United States and the world."

Kissinger is the first figure since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 to have successfully arranged a U.S.-China summit, which is why the mourning continues within China. In 1971, he held talks with then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai during two visits to China. This led to President Nixon's visit to China in February of the following year, where Nixon held a summit with Chairman Mao Zedong.

Notably, Kissinger demonstrated his skill in 'Ping-Pong Diplomacy' during this process. Following contacts with the Chinese side at the 1971 World Table Tennis Championships in Nagoya, Japan, he facilitated the visit of the U.S. table tennis team to China in April of that year, laying the groundwork for diplomatic relations between the two countries. In 1973, he played a midwife role in the Paris Peace Accords and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that year.

Even after that, former Secretary Kissinger frequently visited China. His most recent visit was in July of this year. During a meeting with him at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, President Xi Jinping said, "We will not forget our 'lao pengyou' (老朋友, meaning old friend)," and added, "Please play a constructive role in restoring Sino-American relations to the right track." While President Xi ignored high-level officials sent by U.S. President Joe Biden due to Sino-American conflicts, he exceptionally met with former Secretary Kissinger and referred to him as 'lao pengyou.' This is a symbolic passage showing Kissinger's presence in Sino-American diplomacy. China uses the term 'lao pengyou' to refer to trusted foreign senior officials.

President Xi also mentioned Kissinger's 100th birthday and his more than 100 visits to China, saying, "This visit to China, combining two 100s, holds special significance." Former Secretary Kissinger celebrated his 100th birthday in May of this year, about two months before his visit to China.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that after President Xi learned of Kissinger's passing, he sent a condolence message to U.S. President Joe Biden expressing deep condolences.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.