Chapter 25 24. Diaoyutai State Guesthouse: The Unfamiliar State Guest Kissinger

Among the many distinguished guests received by the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, there are many more important figures than Kissinger who visited in 1971. However, Kissinger’s stay in 1971 made the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse an important turning point in the diplomatic history of new China.Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, built in 1959, has been a place to receive important guests since its establishment.It is located in the ancient Diaoyutai Scenic Area in the western suburbs of Beijing.The ancient Diaoyutai, with a history of more than 800 years, was the palace of the old emperors. It was named after Emperor Zhangzong of the Jin Dynasty once fished here. In 1958, in order to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and receive the heads of state and governments who were invited to China to participate in the National Day, the country decided to choose the ancient Diaoyutai Scenic Area as the site, and instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize, plan and build the State Guesthouse , and named after its place, named Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.After more than a year of hard work, seventeen reception buildings have been built, and in the numbering of the buildings, No. 1 and No. 13 are specially omitted.The total area of ​​the garden is 420,000 square meters, and the total construction area of ​​the whole museum is 165,000 square meters, of which the lake area is 50,000 square meters. On the eve of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the National Day in 1959, the first batch of state guests was welcomed here.Since then, the State Guest House has exclusively received visiting heads of state and government as well as world-renowned personalities, and has become an important place for party and state leaders to engage in foreign affairs activities.

"It is rare for an adult to have the opportunity to return to the scene of childhood, when time seemed to stand still, and everything was so mysterious and novel; When I get older, I become familiar with the things around me, and I feel ordinary. After that, I become more accustomed to the world around me, and time passes very quickly; life is like a kaleidoscope, and various experiences are intertwined. There doesn't seem to be much difference. Only something truly extraordinary, both new and moving, unusual and overwhelming, can bring back the innocence of childhood, as if every day was going through a Precious adventure, interpretation of the meaning of life. When our plane flew over the snow-covered Himalayas, I was in such a mood. At that time, the sun rose and the first light of dawn reflected the sky red, and the silver-white snow peaks Towering so high against the rosy sky, the scenery was magnificent. We flew close to the second highest mountain in the world - the second highest mountain in the world. I used to think that China was a densely populated country full of crops, but in fact Otherwise, we spent hours flying over barren desert, occasionally encountering oases. When the plane flew over the border, Winston Lord stood at the front of the plane, and he was very proud of it, because Strictly speaking, he was the first American official to enter the Chinese border."

When the plane flew across the sky and flew into the Chinese mainland, Kissinger was full of emotions.It was July 1971, and he was 48 years old, even without his later diplomatic accomplishments in the White House as presidential security adviser and secretary of state.He will also go down in history as a distinguished American. Jewish, his family emigrated to the United States in 1938 from their home in Germany to escape the Nazis -- at least 13 of his relatives were killed in Hitler's gas chambers in the 1930s.He was a naturalized American with the dream of becoming an accountant, a profession chosen and excelled by many of his compatriots.But after serving in World War II as a young soldier, Soldier Kissinger attended Harvard University on a scholarship under the Soldier Bill of Rights to study politics.Kissinger’s undergraduate thesis “The True Meaning of History—Thinking about Spengler, Toynbee and Kant” made him enough to be included in the history of Harvard University. One reason is his insight. This paper is rated as "best"; another reason is the length of his thesis: this paper is 377 pages long, and Harvard University therefore stipulates that the length of undergraduate thesis should not exceed one-third of Kissinger's thesis One - this rule is called the "Kissinger rule".

Kissinger began to show his talent in foreign affairs.After he got his Ph.D. from Harvard, he became a professor at the university—albeit with a lot of twists and turns, because he was refused to stay on the faculty when he first graduated. It is always difficult to imagine what kind of academic achievements Kissinger would have made if he had been living as a professor at Harvard, just as we cannot assume that Woodrow Wilson has been the president of Princeton University and would give American universities What kind of tradition will it bring, or what impact will Keynes have on the world after World War II if he becomes the prime minister of the British government and the treasury secretary of the US government.His entry into the White House has made him one of the most famous diplomats in the world today—even the safe "one" without this sentence.

In January 1969, Kissinger accepted an invitation from the new president, Richard Nixon, to leave Harvard for Washington, where he served as the controversial president's assistant for national security affairs and chairman of the National Security Council.Moreover, Kissinger quickly proved that he had more confidence in the president than the secretary of state, and he was more important in the formulation and exploration of most foreign policy than Nixon's choice of secretary of state.This flight is an example.His actions were not even known to Secretary Rogers.His travels are to be concealed from most politicians in the United States.He wasn't even able to get a presidential plane, because Nixon, in order to pay off his Vice President Agnew, let him travel by plane.In addition, he had to convince his Secretary of State why he sent Kissinger, the Security Affairs Assistant, to Asia for an inexplicable investigation and visit.

"We did everything we could to find a Tactical Air Command command plane. It was packed with electronics and it was very uncomfortable to sit on. The engine was so old and it required a long runway. On takeoff , it gives people such a feeling: as if it would rather arrive at its destination by land", Kissinger later recalled the plane he was on, and it was this uncomfortable plane that took him on this exciting journey. Traveling arouses his childlike wonder and joy in the world. This kind of joy, perhaps only Nixon can share with it to the greatest extent.A great person, or someone who spends their days imagining how they are going to change the world, when they see their opportunity and the door is in front of them and they push it open, the joy that most people can't comprehend.They have been content to be trapped by life, and never thought that they can control life, or even control the world.

They have been working hard for a long time to be able to ease the relationship with China. They do everything possible to try to establish contact with the top leaders of China. Braggart European diplomats, third world presidents, athletes, journalists and their efforts must be kept secret, in both senses.Because these two countries have long regarded each other as opponents, even enemies, that must be attacked.They have a sense of ideological superiority over each other, accuse each other of being a threat to world peace, and regard each other as unforgivable demons. However, when Kissinger finally received a message from Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai through the Pakistani Prime Minister, the letter said: "Premier Zhou Enlai welcomes Dr. Kissinger couldn't be more excited as he prepares for the president's visit to the background and makes the necessary arrangements."He interrupted President Nixon, who was having a state dinner.Excitedly, Nixon led Kissinger to the Lincoln Living Room—a room named after one of the greatest presidents in American history—for a brandy and two glasses, "toast what we have achieved and what remains to be achieved." achievement," Nixon said, "Henry, we are not drinking this drink to celebrate us personally or our successes, or the policies of our administration that have enabled us to receive this letter and enjoy the unforgettable moments of tonight. .Let's drink to future generations who may have a better chance of living in peace because of what we've done."

It's July 9th.Dr. Kissinger, with black-rimmed eyes and curly hair, is already on his uncomfortable plane.The flight has already crossed the Himalayas, and he and his entourage have become the first U.S. government officials to fly into mainland China.They have made history, and a bigger scene is waiting for them to open up. "Cheers to the generations!" Kissinger said cheerfully. He was received by Marshal Ye Jianying of China.Ye Jianying "took us close to the city with a large limousine", "I looked out from behind the curtains and saw that the streets were wide and tidy, with few vehicles except bicycles. We passed the wide Tiananmen Square. Our destination was to welcome the state guests A hotel in Beijing. This hotel is located in the west of Beijing. It is a large garden surrounded by walls, and there are many hotel buildings. It is said that there used to be a lake where the emperor fished in this garden. Each hotel building is located in a small garden. On the peninsula, it is connected to the adjacent hotel building by a delicate bridge; however, when you want to cross the bridge, you may encounter a sentry hiding behind the bushes, which will make you suddenly startled and feel uncomfortable ( Later the sentries were less obtrusive and the whole garden was opened to guests) The hotel buildings are relics of the Soviet influence period. They are grand, stately Victorian buildings, a status symbol in the communist state. In the reception room, where heavy, heavily stuffed chairs and sofas were arranged in a quadrangle, Marshal Ye Jianying joined us for tea, and he apologized for not being able to give me a proper public reception of Marshal Ye Jianying's feast. The richness of the style and the abundance of the quantity are astonishing."

The Diaoyutai State Guesthouse where Kissinger stayed also became his residence during his second visit to Beijing.It was built in 1958 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the People's Republic of China.It is also the place where many foreign dignitaries who came to visit Beijing lived - Nixon, who later visited China, also lived here.Before Kissinger arrived, Kim Jong Il, Khrushchev and Che Guevara were hosted here.But there is no doubt that the significance of Kissinger's stay here is far greater than those of the dignitaries who once stayed here. It was also here that he later met Zhou Enlai. "His face is thin and haggard, but his spirit is radiant and his eyes are piercing. His eyes are firm and serene, cautious and full of confidence. He is wearing a well-tailored suit His gray Mao-style clothing looks simple and elegant, but his demeanor is dignified and dignified. What attracts everyone's attention is not his burly body (like Mao Zedong or Charles de Gaulle), but his relaxed expression, steel-like His self-control is like a twisted spring. He makes people feel at ease, but if you observe carefully, you can see that he is extremely alert, and you can feel it when you see him. Obviously, half a century He has been tempered by fierce struggle like a fire, which has imprinted the extremely important calm character on him. I greeted him at the door of the hotel and extended my hand deliberately. Zhou Enlai immediately smiled and shook hands with me”—— Kissinger’s move It is a reply to the arrogance of American politicians in the past. It is said that at the Geneva Conference in 1954, when Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai met Dulles, then US Secretary of State, Zhou Enlai offered to shake hands with Dulles , but Dulles pretended not to see it, deliberately ignoring and rejecting this friendly gesture.

"This is the first step in putting the old animosities behind us," Kissinger said later.