Chinese President Xi Jinping has met former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, a veteran diplomat known for his crucial role in normalizing US-China diplomatic relations in the 1970s.

Xi met Kissinger at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on Thursday.

Kissinger, now 100 years old, made a secret visit to Beijing in 1971 as then-President Richard Nixon's national security advisor. The visit paved the way for normalizing US-China relations in 1972.

According to China's foreign ministry, Xi told Kissinger that the Chinese people "will never forget our old friends and your historic contribution to promoting the development of China-US relations and enhancing the friendship between the Chinese and American people."

Xi also expressed hope that Kissinger and other people of vision in the United States will continue to play a constructive role in putting China-US relations back on track.

China's foreign ministry quoted Kissinger as saying in response that the relations are extremely important for the two nations, as well as world peace and prosperity.

It is believed that Xi's decision to meet Kissinger in a show of respect and gratitude is part of China's efforts to build an environment favorable to holding a meeting between Xi and US President Joe Biden this fall. Such a meeting could take place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi in September or the APEC summit in San Francisco in November.