China looks to Kissinger meeting to improve strained relations with US

Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger met with a Chinese state councillor in Beijing (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China via AP)

China has looked to a meeting with former US national security adviser and secretary of state Henry Kissinger to revive positive momentum between the two countries amid a steep downturn in relations.

Mr Kissinger, 100, met on Wednesday 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 US is trying to do based on differences over trade, technology, Taiwan and China’s human rights record.