China’s President Xi Jinping on Thursday emphasized that the key to progress in bilateral relations with the US was “win-win cooperation.”

Xi made the comments during a meeting with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who just turned 100 in May, at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in the capital Beijing.

Kissinger is a prominent advocate for better US-Chinese relations.

“China and the US can help each other succeed and prosper together,” said Xi, according to the minutes of the meeting released by China’s Foreign Ministry.

Xi said the key is to “follow the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.”

“China is ready, on this basis, to explore with the US the right way for the two countries to get along and take their relations steadily forward, which will be good for both sides and deliver benefits to the world,” Xi told Kissinger.

Lauding Kissinger’s role in normalizing relations between Beijing and Washington, the Chinese president said: “The decision delivered benefits to the two countries and changed the world.”

In 1971, Kissinger’s secret visit to Beijing paved the way for former US President Richard Nixon to normalize relations with China.

“52 years ago, when China and the US were at a crucial inflection point, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai and President Richard Nixon and Dr. Kissinger, with their extraordinary strategic vision made the right decision for China-US cooperation and launched the process of normalizing the China-US relationship,” said Xi.

An architect of realpolitik foreign policy, Kissinger is praised in some quarters but lambasted in others for his policies ranging from Cyprus to Cambodia.

A winner of the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating a cease-fire with Vietnam, he has warned against conflict between Beijing and Washington.

Xi noted that Kissinger recently celebrated his 100th birthday and has paid more than 100 visits to China over the years.

“These two 100s give this visit special significance,” he told Kissinger.

“The Chinese people value friendship. We never forget our old friend, nor your historic contributions to promoting the growth of China-US relations and enhancing friendship between the two peoples,” Xi said.

According to Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, Kissinger stressed that the US-China relationship “is essential to peace and prosperity of the two countries and the wider world.”

“Under the current circumstances, it is imperative to maintain the principles established by the Shanghai Communiqué, appreciate the utmost importance China attaches to the one-China principle, and move the relationship in a positive direction,” he told the Chinese president.

Kissinger also met China’s foreign affairs chief Wang Yi and Defense Minister Li Shangfu during the past two days.