How China’s ‘old friend’ diplomacy may be hurting more than helping improve its US ties

Beijing’s strategy of relying on intermediaries to pass on messages to the US government may have limited success, observers say

The diplomatic tactic of using ‘old friends’ hints at a growing disconnect between Chinese and American officials

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China’s strategy of ‘old friend’ diplomacy, which was seen with former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger’s recent trip, shown here meeting Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi, could be hindering US-China relations. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China via AP

Published: 10:00pm, 30 Jul 2023

When former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger visited China earlier this month, it was a massive affair.

Besides being treated to a lavish lunch by the Chinese government, the 100-year-old diplomatic heavyweight met Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu, who had declined earlier meetings with his American counterpart.

Kissinger also held talks with President Xi Jinping, unlike some US officials on recent trips to China.

Xi described Kissinger – who paved the way for the normalisation of US-China relations in the 1970s and has been to the country more than 100 times – as an “old friend”.

“We never forget our old friends, nor your historic contributions to promoting the growth of China-US relations and enhancing friendship between the two peoples,” he was quoted by state media as saying.

The same “old friend” term was also extended to another American, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, when he visited Beijing in June.

Xi told the billionaire philanthropist: “I always believe that the foundation of China-US relations lies in the people. I place my hopes on the American people.”

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