Former U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger called for China and the U.S. to cooperate. The remarks were released as part of footage from the China Development Forum – an annual international meeting in Beijing where global business and government leaders discuss topics of importance – during Saturday's discussion focused on global trade. 

96-year-old Kissinger played a pivotal role in the thawing of China-U.S. relations in the 1970s, laying groundwork for former U.S. president Richard Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972.  

"China and the United States are the two countries that have the greatest capacity in terms of their technology, their political experience, and their history to influence the progress and peace of the world. They have a different history and a different culture, so the challenge of cooperating between them is very great," Kissinger said.

"Having had the opportunity to participate in the Sino-American relationship for 40 years, I believe strongly that both countries have a duty to the peace of the world and the progress of the world, to find means of cooperation."