Huang Zhen; China Envoy Who Helped Plan Nixon Visit

Huang Zhen, 80, a former Chinese envoy to the United States who helped plan the historic 1972 visit of President Richard M. Nixon. A native of eastern Anhui province who joined the Red Army in 1931 and the Communist Party in 1932, Huang was also a former minister of culture and ambassador to France, Hungary and Indonesia. Huang was ambassador to France from 1964 to 1973, although he was suspended from his post from 1967 to 1969 while being criticized by leftist radicals during the Cultural Revolution. His official biography said Huang met with then-Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger to prepare Nixon’s February, 1972, visit, which began the process of warmer U.S.-Chinese ties that led to the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1979. From 1973 to 1977, Huang headed China’s liaison office in the United States. He also served as president of the China-U.S. People’s Friendship Assn. At the time of his death he was a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Advisory Commission, a prestigious body of retired party elders. In Beijing on Dec. 10 of unannounced causes.