Han Xu

Han Xu taught English before entering diplomatic work and spent many years handling protocol for China’s leaders. He accompanied Zhou Enlai to the Geneva and Bandung conferences and later served in the Soviet Union. His American work included preparations for Henry Kissinger’s 1971 visit and President Richard Nixon’s 1972 trip to China. ¹

Han became deputy head of the new Chinese liaison office in Washington in 1973. After directing North American affairs and serving as vice foreign minister, he returned as ambassador from 1985 to 1989. He had also participated in the later stages of negotiations on the August 1982 communiqué and in preparations for the Reagan–Zhao Ziyang exchanges of 1984. After his ambassadorship, he headed the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. ^{1, 2}