Zhou Enlai
- This is a Chinese name; the family name is Zhou.
Zhou Enlai (pinyin: Zhōu Ēnlái; 5 March 1898 – 8 January 1976) was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China. He served from October 1949 until his death in January 1976. Zhou served under Mao Zedong and was an important leader in the Communist Party of China.
Zhou Enlai | |
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周恩来 | |
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| 3rd First Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of China | |
| In office 30 August 1973 – 8 January 1976 | |
| Chairman | Mao Zedong |
| Preceded by | Lin Biao (1971) |
| Succeeded by | Hua Guofeng |
| Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of China | |
| In office 28 September 1956 – 1 August 1966 | |
| Chairman | Mao Zedong |
| 1st Premier of the People's Republic of China | |
| In office 1 October 1949 – 8 January 1976 | |
| President | Mao Zedong (until 1959) Liu Shaoqi (until 1968) vacant and abolished |
| Leader | Mao Zedong (Chairman of the Communist Party of China) |
| 1st vice-premier | Dong Biwu Chen Yun Lin Biao Deng Xiaoping |
| Succeeded by | Hua Guofeng |
| 1st Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China | |
| In office 1 October 1949 – 11 February 1958 | |
| Premier | Himself |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Chen Yi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 March 1898 Huai'an, Jiangsu, Qing China |
| Died | 8 January 1976 (aged 77) Beijing, People's Republic of China |
| Political party | Communist Party of China |
| Spouse(s) | Deng Yingchao (m. 1925–1976) |
| Children | Sun Weishi, Wang Shu (both adopted) |
| Alma mater | Nankai University |
| Occupation | Politician Strategist Revolutionary Diplomat |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | |
A skilled and able diplomat, Zhou served as the Chinese foreign minister from 1949 to 1958. He believed in getting along with Western countries after the Korean War. He participated in the 1954 Geneva Conference and helped organize Richard Nixon's 1972 visit to China. He helped make policies regarding the disagreements with the U.S., Taiwan, the Soviet Union (after 1960), India and Vietnam. Zhou is best known as the long-time top aide to Mao Zedong. His specialty was foreign policy. Mao and Zhou's different personalities made them an effective team, according to Henry Kissinger, the American diplomat who dealt with both men.