Zhou Enlai

Zhou Enlai was a Chinese statesman, diplomat, and revolutionary who served as the first Premier of the People's Republic of China from September 1954 until his death in January 1976. Zhou served under Chairman Mao Zedong and aided the Communist Party in rising to power, later helping consolidate its control, form its foreign policy, and develop the Chinese economy. As a diplomat, Zhou served as the Chinese foreign minister from 1949 to 1958. He played a major role in the Chinese Revolution and later in the conduct of China's foreign relations. He was an important member of the Communist Party of China from 1921 until his death. He was involved in several important events, such as the Long March, the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese Civil War, the Korean War, the Geneva Conference, the Bandung Conference, the Sino-Soviet split, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, the Ping Pong Diplomacy, and the Shanghai Communique. He was known for his skillful negotiation, his loyalty, and his pragmatism. He was regarded as one of the most influential and respected figures in modern Chinese history.