On July 8, 2021, The Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), with assistance from the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, organized a multi-part event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Henry Kissinger’s secret trip to China. The event took place at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guest House and featured live remarks by Dr. Kissinger and Vice President Wang Qishan.
A variety of components comprised the commemorative event:
Keynote | Dr. Kissinger and Vice President Wang Qishan reflect on the significance of the July 1971 visit
Panel 1 | Eye Witnesses to History: Participants from the 1971 Kissinger secret trip and 1972 Nixon visit discuss the visit itself and its historical importance
- Chinese Panelists: Ambassador Lian Zhengbao and Ms. Nancy Tang
- American Panelists: Ambassadors Winston Lord and Chas Freeman
- Moderator: Ms. Jan Berris
Panel 2 | Beneficiaries of the Visit: Representatives from the business, education, and entertainment communities comment on the modern legacy of Kissinger’s visit
- American Panelists: Dr. Brent Haas (Yenching Academy, Peking University), Mr. Ben Harburg (MSACapital), and Ms. Yvonne Pei (Walt Disney Company, Greater China)
- Chinese Panelists: Mr. Huang Xianhui (Fosun Group), Dr. Robert Hong Xiao (Perfect World Co Ltd), and Mr. Xie Yuan (Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries)
- Moderator: Mr. Wang Guan (CGTN)
Performance | The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Chinese National Symphony Orchestra: Quartets from the orchestras involved in the earliest music exchange between the United States and People’s Republic of China perform short selections
