Foreign Diplomatic Career in Extraordinary Times

Author: Zhou Boping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: In this book, the author comprehensively records his major diplomatic experiences during this extraordinary period. The author focuses on the official exchanges between China and four countries—Tanzania, Greece, Algeria, and Zaire—as well as his interactions with the ruling authorities in the host countries. In September 1964, the author Zhou Boping, newly promoted to Deputy Minister of Food, was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an ambassador, marking the beginning of his 18-year diplomatic career during the "extraordinary period." In the early days of the Cultural Revolution, he was assigned to lead the work at the Chinese embassy in Tanzania under difficult circumstances. After 50 months of arduous efforts and overcoming interference from the Red Guards, he successfully completed the preliminary preparations for China's largest foreign aid project, the Tanzania-Zaire Railway, earning praise from Premier Zhou. Subsequently, he was dispatched to the ancient civilization of Greece, where he soon found himself entangled in the "Athens Incident" after mistakenly entering the Israeli embassy, which caused a sensation at the time. Fortunately, thanks to Chairman Mao's instructions, he was ultimately saved, allowing his diplomatic career to continue. The author also focuses on the official exchanges between China and the four countries—Tanzania, Greece, Algeria, and Zaire—as well as his interactions with the ruling authorities in the host countries. Through close observation, he offers unique evaluations of the three presidents—Nyerere, Boumedienne, and Mobutu. The author also truthfully records the hardships faced by Chinese diplomats abroad during the extraordinary period, as well as their selfless dedication and willingness to sacrifice for the honor of their motherland. The book is interspersed with scenes of the author visiting famous historical sites, admiring natural landscapes, introducing local customs and traditions, and recounting interesting anecdotes, making for an engaging read.