Former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger died this Wednesday evening 100 years old at his home in Connecticut.
His consulting firm Kissinger Associates has reported that the funeral will be a “private family celebration,” adding that there will be a memorial service in New York City “at a later date,” according to a statement reported by CNN.
The main architect of the post-World War II geopolitical scenario
Kissinger, whose cause of death has not been announced, is one of the most controversial American figures of the 20th century largest representative of North American international politics that period in which he associated the normalization of relations with communist countries such as the USA Soviet Union or China at the same time that He fought against left-wing movements in Latin America.
The former diplomat acted as National Security Advisor of the White House and as Secretary of State during the term Nixon and after his resignation due to the Watergate scandal, he continued his career with the former president Gerald Ford.
Fundamental role in diplomacy with China
During his term in office he had, among other things, a fundamental role in improving relations with Chinain the negotiations to end the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East, when the USA left the Vietnam War or when signing arms control agreements with the Soviets.
The impact of Kissinger’s policies is why he is viewed as the Main architect of the post-World War II geopolitical scenario with the United States at the helm, which is why it has even been consulted by numerous North American presidents, both Democrats and Republicans.
In addition to winning the Nobel Peace Prize In 1973, Kissinger received numerous awards and recognitions such as the United States Army Bronze Star, the Presidential Medal of Freedom or the Medal of Freedom. It celebrated its centenary on May 27th.
China mourns ‘tremendous loss’ of ‘much valued old friend’
He in turn Chinese Ambassador to the United StatesXie Feng, has expressed his condolences to the family of the former diplomat whose death he believed was possible “tremendous loss” for both countries.
“I was deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Kissinger’s death at the age of 100. My deepest condolences go out to Nancy (Kissinger, his wife) and his family. It is a tremendous loss for both our countries and for the world.” He published the diplomat on his social network account X, formerly Twitter.
In this sense, he has claimed that “history will remember (…) his contribution to….” China–United States relations” and declared that “he will always remain alive in the hearts of the Chinese people as a treasured old friend.”