President Xi Jinping met with veteran US diplomat Henry Kissinger in Beijing on Thursday.

Xi said relations between China and the United States are at a crossroads, and both sides need to “make new decisions” that could result in stable relations as well as “joint success and prosperity”.

He said Beijing is willing to build stable ties with Washington based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and win-win co-operation.

"China is ready, on this basis, to explore with the United States the right way for the two countries to get along and take their relations steadily forward, which will be good for both sides and deliver benefits to the world," the president said.

Xi also called on Kissinger and others to play a constructive role in putting Sino-US ties back on the right track.

The meeting was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

CCTV on Thursday hailed the 100-year-old statesman's central role in opening up relations between China and the United States in the 1970s.

Kissinger has also met with top diplomat Wang Yi and Defence Minister Li Shangfu in the past few days while in Beijing

Kissinger served as US secretary of state and national security advisor in the administrations of presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, and played a key diplomatic role in normalising ties between Beijing and Washington.

Washington said it was aware of Kissinger's trip to China this week, but noted he was not acting on behalf of the US government.

Kissinger has visited China regularly since leaving office.

"Since 1971, Dr. Kissinger has visited China more than 100 times," CCTV said on Wednesday.

"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," it added. (Agencies)
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Last updated: 2023-07-20 HKT 18:09