China looks to Kissinger to improve ties with US

100-year-old Henry Kissinger reviving US ties with China. Pic/AP

Amid a steep downturn in relations with the United States, China has looked to a meeting with former US national security adviser and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to revive positive momentum.

The 100-year-old Kissinger on Wednesday met with the ruling Communist Party's diplomat Wang Yi, who said it was "impossible" to transform, encircle or contain China, reiterating top Chinese leaders' statements on what they say the U.S. is trying to do based on differences over trade, technology, Taiwan and China's human rights record.

On Tuesday, Kissinger held talks with Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who is barred from visiting the US over arms sales he oversaw with Russia.

China's Defense Ministry quoted Li as praising the role Kissinger played in opening up China-US relations in the early 1970s, but said bilateral ties had hit a low point because of "some people on the American side who are not willing to meet China halfway".

US leaders say they have no such intentions, but seek only frank dialogue and fair competition in the economic sector.

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