By Jordan Adams
The Orem Library shared a broadcast recently of Nobel Peace Prize winner Henry Kissinger addressing his unique experiences and political views of relationships between the United States and China.
“[The United States] thinks our values are universally valid, and we spread that around the world,” Kissinger said. “The Chinese believe their values are exceptional and unique.”
Kissinger served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977, and also held the position of assistant to the president for national security affairs. Kissinger has made several political visits to China and feels that we must be able to acknowledge differences to be able to advance relationships.
“If we want to make real progress in our country, nobody should claim a monopoly on moral insight,” Kissinger said. “We cannot ask the Chinese to solve our domestic economic problems.”
Some individuals believe that U.S.-Chinese relations have struggled to develop and fear that some degree of conflict could develop in a struggle for power.
“The only thing I ask is not to make conflict an end to a problem,” Kissinger said. “It’s not a question of making a great pronouncement on one occasion, but to act over a period of time at a moment when the world is facing the greatest radical challenges that has ever existed and in which cooperation between China and the United States is imperative if we want to avoid a global confrontation.”
Despite three delays due to protesters, Kissinger also fielded questions from members of the audience during the broadcast. One question asked Kissinger to share his response to the debate over Israel and its borders.
“The fundamental problem is that there is no government right now that can make any long-term commitment,” he said. “I am not optimistic about any negotiations for an overall peace.”
