Zhou Enlai, also known as Zhou Xiangyu, was a leading figure of the Chinese Communist Party. He became the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China and served as the nation’s head of government from 1949 till his death in 1976. Well-known for his charm and subtlety, he was described as “pragmatic, affable and persuasive.” Also known to be a skilled and able diplomat, he was also the foreign minister from 1949 to 1958. He advocated peaceful coexistence with the west after the Korean War. He took part in the 1954 Geneva Conference and the 1955 Bandung Conference, and helped in orchestrating US President Richard Nixon’s visit to his country in 1972. He was responsible for the historic meeting between Mao Zedong and Nixon. He also worked in making policies regarding China’s disputes with Taiwan, US, the Soviet Union, India and Vietnam. Enlai survived the purges of other officials during the Cultural Revolution. He managed to retain his position in the Chinese Communist Party leadership as well as in the office of the prime minister till his death. He was popular among the Chinese public, and the public mourning after his death led to riots in Tiananmen Square in April 1976.