By comparison, the American draft was lengthy and described in detail the talks with China as having involved basic issues concerned with peace in Asia and the world, and as having been conducted in a sincere and productive manner. It further expounded on President Nixon's decision to visit China as a move that would help rebuild contacts between the peoples of the two countries, and that it would contribute significantly to world peace. Huang Hua disagreed with the American draft because it did not address the Taiwan issue, which was still pending.

    The key dispute, however, regarded the wording used to describe Nixon's impending visit. The American side wanted to put in "China invites," while the Chinese side insisted on "China agrees to invite." Kissinger argued that the Chinese version sounded as if Nixon had invited himself to China.

    In his memoir, Huang recalled the episode. "On Premier Zhou's instructions, I went to see Chairman Mao directly and reported the dispute. When he heard that Kissinger interpreted the Chinese draft as saying that Nixon had invited himself to visit China, Chairman Mao laughed heartily, saying, 'It should be changed'."

    Today, both Kissinger and Huang agree that the new wording, "It is learned," was a "masterful stroke" by Premier Zhou. The final version read: "As it is learned that President Nixon once expressed his hope to visit the People's Republic of China, Premier Zhou Enlai, on behalf of the government of the People's Republic of China, has therefore invited President Nixon to visit China at a convenient time before May 1972, and that President Nixon has accepted the invitation happily."

    Kissinger's trip to Beijing opened the dialogue between the two nations and was the beginning of his friendship with Huang Hua.

"We'll Meet Again"

    He Liliang said that the two elders greatly cherished their friendship, and that following Kissinger's visit relations between the two giants embarked on a period of normalization. To Huang Hua personally it represented the greatest moment of his professional life to have been both a participant and a witness to the process.

    He Liliang said that both Huang Hua and Kissinger made enormous efforts to promote relations between the two nations, and that over the past decades the two have met several times. Kissinger invited Huang Hua to visit the United States to address the American people concerning China's foreign policy and the country's development.

    After the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001, Huang Hua sent letters to Kissinger and other American friends inquiring about their and their families' safety, and expressing his sympathy. "He is an excellent diplomat, resolute, talented and also humane," said Kissinger of his friend Huang Hua.

    Huang Hua introduced his daughter Huang Mei and son-in-law Cao Jidong to Kissinger's son and grandchildren, in the hope that their friendship could be carried forward by their offspring. Kissinger also wanted his children to see for themselves China's development and changes, and to learn about its past and present.

    Huang Hua prepared carefully for the meeting. Kissinger had just celebrated his 85th birthday before leaving for Beijing, so Huang asked his friends, eminent father and son artists Lou Shibai and Lou Shude, to come up with a birthday painting. Lou Shude painted nine red peaches, symbols of longevity in China, while 93-year-old Lou Shibai wrote the two Chinese characters "duo shou," or "longevity."

    Kissinger happily accepted the gift as a sincere blessing, and felt the vivid peaches with his fingers. In addition, he received a DVD of his first visit and his meeting with Mao Zedong during his second visit.

    The visit had far exceeded the 15 minutes the doctor had permitted before the two old friends hugged and said goodbye. Huang Hua, who seldom sat upright in his hospital bed, pulled himself up from the sofa and walked a few steps, leaning on his walking cane, to see Kissinger and his family off.

    Kissinger turned back and again embraced Huang Hua, saying, "We'll meet again."

(Edited by staff reporter Zhang Juan and Zhang Man, based on materials provided by He Liliang.)