Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger dies at age 100

This file photo taken on Oct. 24, 2023 shows former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Henry A. Kissinger speaking at the annual Gala Dinner of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations in New York. Henry Kissinger passed away at 100 on Nov. 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

NEW YORK, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger died on Wednesday at home in Connecticut at the age of 100, Kissinger Associates, Inc said in a statement.

As Secretary of State under presidents Nixon and Ford, Dr. Kissinger "played central roles in the opening to China, negotiating the end of the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East, and helping to bring America's role in the Vietnam War to a close," said the statement.

Dr. Kissinger has written 21 books on national security matters, according to the statement. "Considered one of America's great statesmen, Dr. Kissinger was regularly consulted by American presidents of both political parties and scores of foreign leaders after he finished government service in 1977."

This file photo taken on Jan. 29, 2015 shows former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing on Global Challenges and the U.S. National Security Strategy in Washington D.C.. Henry Kissinger passed away at 100 on Nov. 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan)