Qiao Guanhua

乔冠华

1913–1983

Foreign Minister (1974–1976)
Head of PRC Delegation to the United Nations (1971)

Biography

Qiao Guanhua (1913–1983) was a Chinese diplomat renowned for his literary flair and rhetorical gifts, who served as Foreign Minister from 1974 to 1976. In 1971 he led the PRC's first delegation to the UN General Assembly as Vice Foreign Minister; the image of him laughing exuberantly after the passage of Resolution 2758 became one of the most widely reproduced visual symbols of that historic moment. A core member of Zhou Enlai's diplomatic team, Qiao was a central figure in the formulation of Chinese foreign policy and diplomatic negotiations for many years. Following the fall of the Gang of Four in 1976, he was purged and his political career effectively ended.

Related Events (1)

1971-10-25

PRC Restored to United Nations Seat

On 25 October 1971, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 by 76 votes to 35 with 17 abstentions, recognising the People's Republic of China as 'the only lawful representative of China to the United Nations.' The ROC delegation withdrew before the vote, relinquishing the Security Council permanent seat it had held since 1945. The outcome marked the definitive end of the United States' long campaign to block PRC admission, fundamentally reshaped the international order of the Cold War era, and initiated Taiwan's prolonged process of diplomatic marginalisation.

diplomatic