The US must carry out some act somewhere in the world which shows its determination to continue to be a world power.
Henry A. KissingerI think China will do nothing to obstruct it, and they probably will go along with it.
Henry A. KissingerEvery time there has been an attempt to disturb it, it led to two things. It led to immediate intense conflict with China, and it led to a reaffirmation in the end, because nobody wanted a major confrontation with China to this principle of a "one China" policy within which Taiwan is finding a place now. Its own position has greatly improved since the Nixon policy. It is richer, it is stronger and it is participating in many international organizations.
Henry A. KissingerIt is not a matter of what is true that counts, but a matter of what is perceived to be true.
Henry A. KissingerNo, [the U.S.] has made it clear that we consider a peaceful resolution an essential aspect of American foreign policy. This I believe to be a situation understood by China, but again, it is important to not sound too truculent. Taking on a billion-plus Chinese is not an enterprise which one should enter lightly.
Henry A. Kissinger