Henry Kissinger’s 1971 Trip to Pakistan: A Misadventure That Changed China-American Relations

A Great Figure Who Influenced the History of China-American Interactions

In any country, a state banquet represents the pinnacle of national culinary achievement, showcasing both the quality of ingredients and the skill of chefs.

If something goes wrong at such an event, it’s a loss of face for everyone from leaders to common folk.

In modern history, mishaps at state banquets are rare. However, on July 8, 1971, at a banquet in Pakistan for the American delegation, someone suffered from vomiting and diarrhea after eating the served roast lamb and seafood soup.

That person was Henry Kissinger.

The then-President of Pakistan, Yahya Khan, quickly arranged for Kissinger to rest at the Presidential Palace. Concerned about the heat there, he ordered a plane to take Kissinger to a villa in the western Himalayas for recovery.

Kissinger boarded the plane at 5 a.m. the next day. He did fly towards the Himalayas, but instead of landing, he continued over the Tibetan Plateau directly towards the heart of China.

His destination was Beijing.

For the next two days, Kissinger mysteriously disappeared from Pakistan. Upon his…