Deng Meets Kissinger a Day After ‘Retiring’

Deng Xiaoping met former U.S. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger among the official trappings of the Great Hall of the People today, one day after he announced his retirement from his last party post.

Deng on Thursday gave up his last official job as chairman of the Communist Party’s Central Military Commission.

The 85-year-old Deng today noted with a hearty laugh that Kissinger was the first foreign guest he had met since retirement, but he said he will continue to play his “dual role” as citizen and party member.

The meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall, the seat of government, reinforced the general feeling that Deng will remain dominant although he no longer holds official titles.

After Deng made reference to his retirement, Kissinger said: “You will never be without great influence.”

“Are you opposed to it?” Deng asked.

“I am for it,” Kissinger said.

Deng commented that Kissinger is no longer secretary of state, “yet you are still busy working in international affairs.”

Kissinger is making what is believed to be his 15th trip to China since a secret visit in 1971 that set the stage for normalization of relations with the United States.