SINGAPORE – Late American diplomat Henry Kissinger’s most important contribution was to pave the way for the reopening of relations between the United States and China in 1972, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Nov 30.

This was after two decades of the US’ isolation of China’s communist state, he added.

In a Facebook post on the death of Dr Kissinger, Mr Tharman said the late diplomat had, at the age of 99, believed that the US and China could today, once again, develop a close dialogue and a basis from which to work with each other, even as they compete and have their differences.

Dr Kissinger died at his home in Connecticut on Nov 29, aged 100.

Mr Tharman said Dr Kissinger had lived “a life of conviction” and was also remarkable for how he remained actively involved in US and global affairs till his last weeks.

His efforts in the 1970s to re-establish relations between the US and China laid the basis for China’s eventual opening to the world.

“Nothing was more momentous at the time,” said Mr Tharman.

“China was in the throes of the Cultural Revolution, and could not have been more different from America. But Kissinger believed that excluding China would leave America with one arm behind its back – and disadvantaged in its Cold War with the Soviet Union,” he added.

Mr Tharman also noted Dr Kissinger’s strong connection with Singapore. He and the late Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had developed a deep regard for each other, starting from the late 1960s.

Dr Kissinger’s latest book, published in 2022, was a study of six people he considered extraordinary leaders of their times, including Mr Lee.

His study of the late founding prime minister ended with a reflection on what Mr Lee had said some 40 years ago: “You must be able to soar above reality and say ‘this is also possible’.”

Mr Tharman said: “Kissinger was surely right, that it was the trait that distinguished the most exceptional leaders.”

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his condolences to Dr Kissinger’s family in a Facebook post on Nov 30 evening, adding that Dr Kissinger’s legacy “will remain with us for a long time to come”.

Dr Kissinger was convinced that the US had a vital responsibility to maintain global peace and stability, and was deeply involved in the efforts to re-establish US-China relations in 1972, he wrote.

“This transformed the world order, and led to a long period of stable US-China relations, steady global growth and deepening globalisation,” said PM Lee.

Dr Kissinger also accomplished “the orderly extraction of the US from the Vietnam War”, he added.

“His strategy was bitterly criticised, but it bought the non-communist countries of South-east Asia precious time to build our political, economic and military strength, and to organise ourselves into Asean for us to better deal with security threats,” he said.

PM Lee said he had benefited greatly from the statesman’s counsel, wisdom and curiosity about the world.

He added that he had been deeply touched that Dr Kissinger had travelled to Singapore in 2015 to attend the state funeral of his father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Dr Kissinger also later delivered a “moving eulogy” at the private memorial in New York.

“Dr Kissinger was a peerless diplomat, true statesman and visionary of his time,” said PM Lee.

In a Facebook post on Nov 30, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan lamented the loss of “the pre-eminent statesman of our time” and that “Singapore has lost a close friend and consistent advocate”.

He cited Dr Kissinger’s words of farewell when they last met two months ago in New York.

Dr Kissinger had said then: “I hope Singapore would continue to retain the same clear analysis that had ensured its survivability. I am an unqualified supporter of Singapore’s autonomy and capacity that was established by my good friend Mr Lee Kuan Yew.”

Dr Balakrishnan said Dr Kissinger had left an indelible mark on the world during his years as national security adviser and secretary of state, and as an elder statesman after.

“He was indefatigably active and astute till the very end, keeping up his wide circle of connections, and influencing thinkers and policymakers,” he said.

“At the grand age of 100, his mind remained sharp and his curiosity unbounded, keeping up with the latest technological advances and global affairs.”

Dr Balakrishnan noted that Dr Kissinger was always focused on the broad strategic picture and was ready to offer practical advice and clear-sighted assessments of the rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.

He added that Dr Kissinger believed it possible to have a world order where great powers can coexist peacefully, and where all countries, big and small, can grow and prosper together – because the alternative is disaster.

Both PM Lee and Dr Balakrishnan also penned letters of condolence to Mrs Nancy Kissinger. This is what they wrote:

PM Lee’s letter

Dear Nancy,

Ho Ching and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of your beloved husband, Dr Henry Kissinger.

Dr Kissinger will be remembered warmly by many around the world. He was a peerless diplomat, true statesman, and visionary of his time. As a leader, he served with conviction and pragmatism. He was convinced the United States had a vital responsibility to maintain global peace and stability, and acted on this conviction.

Dr Kissinger was deeply involved in President Nixon’s rapprochement with China in 1972. This watershed moment transformed the geostrategic order. It led to an extended period of stable US-China relations, steady global growth and deepening globalisation that lasted for decades, greatly benefiting the US and many other countries.

From Singapore’s perspective, another of Dr Kissinger’s major accomplishments was the extraction of the US from the Vietnam War. He felt deeply the need to protect US credibility and its global influence, and refused to simply abandon America’s South Vietnamese ally. Though he was bitterly criticised for his actions, his strategy bought the non-communist countries of South-east Asia precious time. We were able to build up our political, economic, and military strength, and to organise ourselves into the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean). By the time South Vietnam fell in 1975, and the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia in 1978, the Asean members were much better able to deal with the security threats.

My father always spoke of Dr Kissinger with the greatest respect and warmth. Their friendship lasted for nearly half a century. I was deeply touched that Dr Kissinger travelled all the way to Singapore in March 2015 to attend my father’s state funeral, as well as by the moving eulogy that he delivered, extempore, at the private memorial service for Mr Lee in New York that September.

I had the privilege of knowing Dr Kissinger personally too. Ho Ching and I recall fondly staying with you and Henry at your home in Kent, Connecticut, in 2007. I have benefited greatly from Henry’s counsel, wisdom, and curiosity about the world. He had a constant hunger for knowledge, a drive to understand the transformative forces that are changing the geopolitics of the world, including new technologies such as artificial intelligence.

We last met when I visited New York in April 2022. Our conversation lasted well over an hour. Henry was in fine form. He asked many probing questions, and was completely au fait with the latest international developments. Even in his last few months, he continued to offer insightful perspectives and wise counsel, particularly on US-China relations.

Dr Kissinger touched many hearts throughout his long life. His legacy will remain with us for a long time to come. His was a life well lived, and it has been my honour and good fortune to have known him.

Please accept our deepest condolences during this time of grief.

Yours sincerely,

Lee Hsien Loong

Dr Balakrishnan’s letter

Dear Mrs Kissinger,

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of your husband, Dr Henry Kissinger. 
 
Dr Kissinger was an intellectual giant whose tireless diplomatic efforts helped to reshape the world. He was the architect behind many policies that indelibly changed the global order, including the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China as well as the extrication of the United States from the Vietnam War. These have allowed countries the time and space to develop and prosper, and proved that open economies, globalisation, and economic integration can uplift societies.

For Singapore, Dr Kissinger was a longstanding friend and ardent supporter over the decades, stemming from his friendship with our founding prime minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore has benefited from Dr Kissinger’s conviction in the need for a strong American presence in South-east Asia, which translated into stability and prosperity for the region.
 
I had the privilege of meeting Dr Kissinger several times over the years. My conversations with him have always been the highlights of my visits to New York City. He never shied away from new challenges, and our conversations delved into pressing questions of the day such as artificial intelligence, nuclear non-proliferation, and climate change, to try and ensure the safety and well-being of humanity. Our meetings were precious opportunities for me to exchange insights on geopolitics and tap his wisdom when tackling thorny quandaries in foreign policy. Dr Kissinger was, and will continue to be, an inspiration and mentor for many of us. 
 
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I wish you and your family strength in your bereavement.

Yours sincerely,
 
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan