Enlai, Zhou

Enlai, Zhou (March 5, 1898 – January 8, 1976)

Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China, serving under Mao Zedong or Chairman Mao. He was an influential figure in cementing the communist regime in China and played a key role in shaping the country’s economic and foreign policies during his time in power (1949-1976). As foreign minister, Enlai encouraged positive relations with the West after the Korean War and arranged President Nixon’s monumental visit to China, which marked the first time a US president had visited the country.