Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger passes away at 100 years old

The news of Kissinger's death was met with sadness across the globe, including on Chinese social media platforms Weibo and WeChat. Netizens expressed their condolences and shared their thoughts about his legacy in international relations. One Weibo user lamented: "A legend has left us. Henry Kissinger's contributions to world diplomacy cannot be overstated."

However, not all reactions were positive. Some netizens criticized Kissinger's involvement in controversial events during his tenure as Secretary of State, such as his role in the secret bombing of Cambodia by the U.S. and his support for the Indonesian invasion of East Timor. One user posted: "Kissinger's death is a reminder of how foreign policy can have devastating consequences on innocent lives."

The funeral will be held privately with family members, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in New York City. Born in Germany in 1923, Kissinger's father was a teacher there. His extensive travel to China can be traced back to more than 100 times, and he has been referred to as the "old friend of China."

In May 2023, Kissinger celebrated his 100th birthday. He was known for his role in shaping U.S.-China relations during a critical period of international politics. Reflecting on Kissinger's intellectual legacy, Professor Wang Yixue from the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China said, "Kissinger was a realist diplomat who witnessed the transformations of Sino-U.S. relations."

Earlier this year, in September 2023, Kissinger attended the 5th Shanghai Bund Financial Forum and shared his views on topics such as artificial intelligence and global governance. He emphasized the importance of developing AI while mitigating potential technological risks, and advocated for its responsible use in society.

Kissinger's death marks an end to an era in U.S. diplomatic history. His life and political career will continue to be studied and debated by scholars around the world. Netizens have expressed their condolences while also acknowledging the controversies surrounding his legacy. As one user stated, "We can't ignore the darker parts of history, but we must remember the significant impact he had on global relations."