How did one man shape U.S.-China history? Amb. Winston Lord on Henry Kissinger's legacy

Key Concepts

Opening of China: The process initiated by President Nixon and Henry Kissinger to establish diplomatic relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China after decades of isolation.
Secret Diplomacy/Back Channel Diplomacy: The use of unofficial and often clandestine communication channels to conduct negotiations, bypassing formal diplomatic structures.
Shanghai Communique: A joint statement issued by the US and China in 1972 that laid the groundwork for normalized relations, acknowledging the "one China" policy.
Geopolitical Earthquake: A term used to describe the profound and transformative impact of the US opening to China on the global political landscape.
Win-Win Situation: A negotiation outcome where all parties involved achieve their primary objectives.
One China Policy: The diplomatic acknowledgment that there is only one sovereign state under the name "China," with the People's Republic of China as its sole legitimate government, though the US position has evolved over time.

The Secret Trip to China and the Nixon-Mao Meeting

Winston Lord, former Director of Policy Planning at the US Department of State and Ambassador to China, recounts his experiences alongside Henry Kissinger during a pivotal period in US foreign policy. The central event discussed is the secret trip to China in July 1971, which paved the way for President Nixon's historic meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong in February 1972.

Background and Motivation

Nixon and Kissinger's Goal: Both President Nixon and Kissinger, upon entering office in 1969, aimed to open relations with China. Nixon believed integrating China into the global system would foster greater international stability. He communicated this priority to Kissinger in a memo shortly after his inauguration.
Obstacles: The primary challenges were the 22 years of mutual isolation and hostility following the Korean War, and the complete absence of direct communication channels between the two nations.
Establishing Secret Channels: To overcome the lack of contact, secret channels were established, notably through Pakistan.
Public Preparation: Simultaneously, steps were taken to prepare the American and global publics for a shift in US policy towards China. This included modest unilateral steps to relax economic restrictions.
The Gamble: The secret trip was a significant gamble for Nixon, given the deep-seated animosity. The purpose was for an envoy (Kissinger) to assess whether a full summit between Nixon and Mao would be mutually advantageous.

Winston Lord's Personal Experience

Personal Connection: Lord's wife was born in Shanghai, adding a personal dimension to his involvement.
Geopolitical Significance: He recognized the immense geopolitical implications of the trip, describing it as a "geopolitical earthquake" that would alter the world system.
First American Official: Lord highlights the personal significance of being the first American official to enter China after relations were severed in 1949. He recounts being at the front of the Pakistani plane as it approached the Chinese border, ahead of Kissinger.

Objectives and Outcomes of the Secret Trip

The secret trip in July 1971 had two primary objectives:

Discuss International Issues: To engage in discussions on a range of critical international matters, including Taiwan, Russia, Vietnam, the Middle East, and Japan. The aim was to identify sufficient common interests to advance the relationship despite existing differences.
Craft a Joint Announcement: To produce a joint announcement of the meeting that would serve the political interests of both the US and China. The US wanted to convey that China was eager for Nixon's visit, while China aimed to project that Nixon was seeking their favor. The announcement ultimately reflected mutual interest.

Significance of the Nixon-Mao Meeting

Historic Importance: Lord considers the Nixon-Mao meeting one of the most significant international events of the past 75 years.
Signaling a New Era: The very act of Mao meeting Nixon signaled the dawn of a new era, not necessarily of immediate friendship, but of a shared interest, primarily in balancing the Soviet Union.
Public and Global Preparation: Both sides had meticulously prepared their publics and the world for this shift. The earlier invitation of a US ping-pong team to China served as a symbolic precursor.
Mao's Approval: Mao's decision to meet Nixon immediately upon his arrival in Beijing was highly unusual and signaled his strong approval of the visit to his own people and the world.

The Role of Henry Kissinger and the Shanghai Communique

Henry Kissinger is credited with being instrumental in navigating the complex negotiations.

Covert Diplomacy and Key Negotiators

Bypassing Traditional Roots: Kissinger employed covert diplomatic channels, engaging directly with Chinese leaders like Premier Zhou Enlai, bypassing established diplomatic protocols.
Kissinger's Crucial Role: Lord, who assisted Kissinger in drafting memos and taking notes, attests to Kissinger's indispensable role.
Negotiating the Shanghai Communique: During a public visit in October 1971 (following the secret trip), negotiations began for what would become the Shanghai Communique. This document outlined each side's positions, even on opposing issues.
Unusual Approach: Lord notes the unique nature of the Shanghai Communique, which remains relevant even 50 years later, unlike most diplomatic statements that fade quickly.

Winston Lord's Role and Observations

Special Assistant to Kissinger: Lord served as Kissinger's special assistant, gaining a global perspective on how various issues interconnected.
Broad Involvement: His responsibilities extended beyond China, encompassing secret negotiations with the Vietnamese, Middle East shuttles, and meetings with the Soviets, including a summit in May 1972.
Learning from Great Minds: Lord expresses his privilege in learning from Kissinger and observing other major leaders. He specifically commends Zhou Enlai as the "single most impressive" figure, describing the exchanges between Kissinger and Zhou as "absolutely amazing."
Demanding Environment: Lord describes the experience as demanding, characterized by long hours and Kissinger's relentless pursuit of excellence. He notes that Kissinger rarely offered praise but consistently pushed for better work.
Kissinger's Hiring Philosophy: Lord recounts being hired by Kissinger precisely because he had written memos questioning or criticizing some of Kissinger's policies, indicating Kissinger's preference for critical thinkers over "yes men."

The Lasting Impact and Evolution of Kissinger's Influence

Kissinger's influence extended far beyond his tenure in government.

Post-Governmental Influence

Continued Relevance: Even after leaving government, Kissinger remained a sought-after advisor for presidents of both parties, maintaining a consistent impact for 50 years.
Respectful Engagement: He was careful in his public statements, offering critiques of policies in a respectful, non-partisan manner, avoiding personal attacks on incumbent presidents. He would share disagreements privately.
Global Engagement: Foreign leaders consistently sought meetings with him, and he traveled extensively, engaging with them. He visited China approximately a hundred times.
Multifaceted Career: Alongside his consulting business and extensive writing, Kissinger maintained a remarkable public presence.

Personal Reflections and Moments of Shared Experience

Shared Vulnerabilities: Lord recalls numerous instances where he and Kissinger shared moments of both exhilaration and embarrassment.
The Saigon Incident: A notable example was their trip to Saigon in October 1972 to discuss the breakthrough in negotiations with North Vietnam. They expected President Thieu's satisfaction, but he "ripped them apart," leading to a period of "tremendous depression."
Moments of Exhilaration and Depression: These experiences highlight the emotional highs and lows of their high-stakes diplomatic work.

Conclusion

The conversation with Winston Lord underscores the profound impact of Henry Kissinger's pragmatic and often covert approach to foreign policy. The secret opening to China, culminating in the Nixon-Mao meeting and the Shanghai Communique, stands as a testament to this strategy, fundamentally reshaping the global geopolitical landscape. Lord's personal account provides invaluable insight into the pressures, intellectual rigor, and historical significance of these groundbreaking diplomatic endeavors. The enduring influence of Kissinger, even after leaving public office, further emphasizes his unique and lasting contribution to international affairs.