Zhou Enlai
1898 – 1976 Chinese first premier of the People's Republic of China
The first premier of the People's Republic, Mao's chief diplomat and administrator for nearly three decades.
- Religion
- atheist
- Affiliations
- Chinese Communist Party
Zhou Enlai was a founding figure of the Chinese Communist Party who served as premier of the People's Republic from its creation in 1949 until his death in 1976. He was the state's leading administrator and diplomat, negotiating at the Geneva and Bandung conferences and helping arrange the opening to the United States under Nixon. He kept his position through Mao's shifting campaigns, and historians debate how far he restrained the excesses of the Cultural Revolution and how far he enabled them by staying loyal. He worked to protect some officials, including Deng Xiaoping, and his death in early 1976 set off public mourning that turned into protest.
Connections
- ally of Deng Xiaoping — A patron who shielded him during the Cultural Revolution.
- ally of Deng Xiaoping — Protected and promoted Deng during the Cultural Revolution.
- ally of Mao Zedong — His long-serving premier and chief administrator.
- ally of Mao Zedong — Served as his premier for the life of the People's Republic under Mao.
- associate of Mao Zedong — His indispensable premier and diplomat for decades.
- associate of Mao Zedong — Mao's loyal premier who managed the state apparatus.
In the timeline
- 1934 – 1935 The Long March a senior leader on the march
- 1949 Founding of the People's Republic of China the first premier
- 1955 Bandung Conference of Asian and African states mentioned
- 1966 Cultural Revolution the premier through the turmoil
- 1971 Kissinger's secret trip to Beijing mentioned