Chinese leader Xi Jinping described the 100-year-old former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as a "legendary diplomat" after meeting in Beijing on Thursday, according to Chinese state media.

Kissinger took advantage to call for a rapprochement between the US and China, which coincided with a trip by US climate envoy John Kerry. 

State broadcaster CCTV said: "On July 20, President Xi Jinping met former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse," after hailing his role in striking up relations between the two nations in the 1970s.  

No further details were given about the meeting that occurred at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse's building number five which happens to be the same location of a historic meeting between Kissinger and 1971 premier Zhou Enlai. 

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At the time as US national security adviser, Kissinger secretly traveled to Beijing in July 1971 to establish relations with China, which set the stage for a landmark visit by former president Richard Nixon.

At 100 years of age, Kissinger is the last surviving member of the Nixon administration.

A conflict to face humanity

Since leaving office, Kissinger has been gaining wealth by advising businesses on China and warning against a hawkish turn in US policy. CCTV said on Thursday that "Since 1971, Dr. Kissinger has visited China more than 100 times". 

It further added that "On May 27 this year, the legendary diplomat celebrated his 100th birthday, and this visit is also his first trip to China since turning 100". 

State news agency Xinhua reported Kissinger telling Defense Minister Li Shangfu on Tuesday: "... in today's world, challenges and opportunities coexist, and both the United States and China should eliminate misunderstandings, coexist peacefully, and avoid confrontation."  

During his trip, Kissinger convened with top diplomat Wang Yi, who gave praise to Kissinger's "historic contributions to the ice-breaking development of China-US relations".  

"The US policy toward China needs Kissinger-style diplomatic wisdom and Nixon-style political courage," Wang stated. Kissinger previously pointed to the seriousness of the US-China conflict, warning that it could turn into "the greatest challenge facing humanity."

According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, Li told Kissinger that Beijing had been committed to developing "stable, predictable, and constructive Sino-US relations" wherein China hopes the US would cooperate and work alongside China to promote "the healthy and stable development of the relationship between the two militaries."

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