Henry Kissinger's Surprise Meeting with China's Defense Minister in Beijing Sparks Speculation

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger made a surprise visit to Beijing, where he met with China's defense minister, Li Shangfu. Kissinger emphasized the importance of friendly communication between China and the US, stating that treating each other as adversaries would not lead to meaningful results. The visit comes as US climate envoy John Kerry is also in Beijing to discuss cooperation on the climate crisis. Despite deteriorating relations between the two countries, there is cautious optimism that the resumption of official dialogues can pave the way for improved ties. Kissinger's visit, reminiscent of his secret trip in 1971 that normalized US-China relations, is seen by many in Beijing as a sign of his continued friendship with China.