Zhou Enlai Dies: China's Master Diplomat Mourned by Millions
He was the only senior Chinese Communist leader who survived every purge. Zhou Enlai served as China's premier from 1949 until his death — 27 years without being removed. He navigated the Cultural Revolution by protecting some people while sacrificing others. He opened China to Nixon in 1972, negotiating the framework in a week of late-night conversations in Beijing. He was dying of bladder cancer during most of that process. When he died on January 8, 1976, the public mourning was so massive it frightened the government.
January 8, 1976
50 years ago
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