WASHINGTON - Former US State Secretary Henry Kissinger was among political and business leaders honored Wednesday for their contribution to ties between the United States and Asia.

Zhang Yesui (L), China's ambassador to the United States, talks with Henry Kissinger, former US secretary of state, before an Asia Society awards ceremony in Washington on Wednesday. Kissinger was given a lifetime achievement award by the nonprofit organization. [Photo/Larry Lee/China Daily]

Kissinger, one of the most important figures in China-American relations, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Asia Society, a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1956 with the aim of building awareness about Asian politics, business, education, arts, and culture in the United States.

In its annual Washington award dinner, the society also jointly granted Jim Rogers, chairman and CEO of Duke Energy, and Wang Yusuo, chairman of Chinese energy producer ENN Group, the International Business Award.

Other awardees included US Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs Lael Brainard and Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.

For more than 30 years, the Asia Society has held award dinners to raise funds and recognize people who have made significant contributions to relations between the United States and Asia.