When I first saw China, there were no automobiles. There were no supermarkets. There were no high-rise buildings. There were no consumer goods. There were no restaurants that were at least accessible that foreigners could see. It was a Stalinist society, and a very poor Stalinist society. So the economic system has totally changed, and the private sector in the economic system is now the dominant sector. It didn't exist at all as late as 1979.
Henry A. KissingerA bluff taken seriously is more useful than a serious threat interpreted as a bluff.
Henry A. KissingerThe enemies you make by taking a decided stand generally have more respect for you than the friends you make by being on the fence
Henry A. KissingerEvery American president, regardless of party, has said that America has an intense interest in a peaceful resolution. And I think it should be left at that.
Henry A. KissingerLet me make my point about Vietnam. When the Nixon initiation came into office, there were 550,000 Americans in combat. And ending the war was not a question of turning off a television channel. And so, debating on how we got there and what judgments were made was not going to help us.
Henry A. Kissinger