This report is written by Our Correspondent Wang Rujun in the United States about his exclusive interview with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Following are the highlights of the report.

Dr Kissinger said he knew the Chinese people very well. In the past, the Chinese had made enormous contributions to the world, and today they are working hard to do so. At the advent of the new millennium, he expressed his sincere wishes for the Chinese people, wishing that they enjoy peace, progress, and good luck in everything.

Kissinger said he had toured China 32 times, during which he visited more than 20 Chinese cities. He said he witnessed the great changes that had taken place in China over the past 20-odd years. He added if one contrasts the situation of China 20 years ago and that of today, he would definitely say that the past two decades are the best times of China.

Speaking of US-Chinese relationship, Kissinger noted that he likes the Chinese people and Chinese culture and admires Chinese history. He added that this is not the reason why he has worked hard to promote the establishment of US-China friendly relationship. He did so because he believed the most populous country and the industrially most developed nation in the world are natural partners who shouldn't be without common interests.

He emphasized that China will become mighty and will exert still greater influence. He said he had never worried that China would dominate the world as some Sinologists had said. This is because the Chinese people have never thought of doing so, and this has been proved by facts. As far as the United States and China are concerned, the huge challenge is whether or not the two countries can set up a constructive relationship. Conflict, if broken out between the United States and China, would do harm rather than good to both sides.

He said he did not agree to the viewpoints expressed by certain people during the political discussion now under way in the United States. He assured China is not a potential foe of the United States, adding that after a new US president assumes office, leaders of the United States and China would hold deeper and more frequent dialogs.

As he reviews the 20th century soon to be over, Kissinger said, "it is a century full of confusion."

Speaking of the current world situation, Kissinger pointed out that too many things had occurred in the world. Europe wants alliance; Russia is adapting or trying to adapt itself to the age marked by the "loss of an empire"; China is vigorously carrying out gigantic reform and bringing about economic revitalization; Japan is also making readjustment; the United States still lacks an established long-term diplomatic strategy to handle these simultaneously arising problems.

He indicated that the United States may possibly be the only military superpower in the world, but, many problems cannot be resolved by military means, the function of military force is diminishing. In the economic field, the United States is not the only superpower. Moreover, no country can independently dominate the world, because other countries oppose this practice.

With regard to the 21st century, Kissinger predicted that the economic issue will become increasingly important, whether or not the international financial system is stable will affect every country. The question of population is also serious. The rapid growth of population will bring heavy burdens on the world. In the next 10-20 years, changes will take place in the international situation. In Europe, the status of country will be weakening, various European countries will possibly create a "European federation"; a strong government may emerge in Russia, or the country may break up; China will realize industrialization. But it is unlikely that war will break out between big powers. The arrival of a new millennium is a great event for the global community. Various countries around the world will link themselves together more closely.