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In July 1971, Kissinger, then US National Security Advisor, made a clandestine visit to the People鈥檚 Republic of China 鈥� then America鈥檚 sworn enemy. At the time China was isolated from the outside world amidst the chaos of the Cultural Revolution. America was looking for a way out of the Vietnam war. Both countries had had no contact for over 20 years.

The 48-hour mission paved the way for President Richard Nixon鈥檚 historic handshake with Chairman Mao a few months later. It changed the geometry of the Cold War. It also began a decades-long US engagement policy towards China.

Fifty years on, the US and China are at a historic crossroads. Washington鈥檚 paradigm in dealing with Beijing abruptly ended with the election of Donald Trump. Great power competition is now under way. Some fear we are already locked in a 鈥渘ew cold war鈥�. Others say it is an 鈥渦neasy peace鈥�.

So what happened since Kissinger stepped on Chinese soil in that summer half a century ago? How did we get to where we are today? Looking back, what can Presidents Biden and Xi learn from Kissinger鈥檚 secret trip?

The Guardian鈥檚 China Affairs correspondent Vincent Ni tells the story of Henry Kissinger鈥檚 1971 secret mission, and asks what that trip tells us about the future of the world鈥檚 most consequential bilateral relationship?

(Photo: Kissinger greeted in Beijing. Credit: White House/CNP/Getty Images)