From the early 1970s until the death of Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong, Tang Wensheng and Wang Hairong, another man of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as excellent translators, attended almost all meetings between these two great men and visiting dignitaries and celebrities, and left their marks in the diplomatic circles and even in China's political circles. Her beautiful image always appears beside Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, which can be said to have witnessed an important moment in the diplomatic history of China in 1970s.

1, easily completed the five-year course of Beijing Foreign Studies University in three years.

Tang Wensheng's father, Tang Mingzhao, studied in Tsinghua University in his early years, then went to the University of California for further study, and fought for the party's cause on the other side of the ocean for more than ten years. His mother, Zhang Xixian, came from an overseas Chinese family and was a pioneer of the "December 9th" patriotic student movement in yenching university. They got married in a foreign country. 1943 In the spring, a little girl was born in a general maternity hospital in Brooklyn. This is Tang Wensheng. After the Korean War broke out, in order to avoid the persecution of McCarthyism, according to the instructions of Premier Zhou Enlai, Tang Mingzhao's wife and children returned to the motherland on 1952, and successively worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee and non-governmental organizations. Tang Wensheng spent a happy childhood in Greenwich Village, Manhattan Island, new york. At the age of six, his parents sent Tang Wensheng to a famous "Little Red House Primary School" in new york. Although it was only two short years, she received a good education here. To this day, Tang Wensheng still said with deep attachment, "It taught me a lot …" Back to the new ancient capital Beijing, Tang Wensheng missed the start of school and stayed at home for four months. At that time, Tang Mingzhao lived at 1, which is now the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Upstairs is the reading room. Tang Wensheng often goes there alone to read books. Pinocchio and other children's books with colorful covers and full of childlike interest quickly occupied her young mind and aroused her strong thirst for knowledge. Tang Wensheng's "master" Ji (former UN Under-Secretary-General and Ambassador to Britain) and his wife Wang Xiangtong lived next door to the Tang family when they got married. When he was on the other side of the ocean, he and Ji Gongquan, Ji's father, were comrades in the trenches. The following spring, Tang Wensheng entered Mingming Primary School in Dongcheng District to continue his primary education. Three years later, Tang Wensheng was admitted to the High School Attached to Beijing Normal University with excellent academic performance. 1962 in early summer, when Tang Wensheng graduated from this prestigious school and took part in the annual college entrance examination, she was a slim and pure girl. Tang Wensheng, in her prime, easily got the letter of admission from the English Department of Beijing Foreign Studies University (now Beijing Foreign Studies University). Tang Mingzhao and his wife attach great importance to their daughter's education. My father once borrowed many English books published by the Soviet Union from his daughter: Tolstoy's War and Peace, Shakespeare's The Tempest and so on. Every time Tang Mingzhao goes abroad for a meeting via Moscow, he always buys back many good books that can make Tang Wensheng ecstatic. Therefore, when Tang Wensheng walked into the beautiful Beiwai campus in the summer of 1962, her English level stood out among her peers. From the very beginning, Tang Wensheng became the protagonist with the highest attendance rate at various school parties and parties. Tang Wensheng completed all the five-year courses in three years as easy as blowing off dust-he skipped a grade in Grade One and Grade Three, which impressed many teachers and students. As early as the mid-1960s, the Prime Minister took precautions and invited Ji, the fifth English interpreter who followed him for more than ten years, to Beiwai for senior translators. On the campus of Beijing Foreign Studies University, Ji took a fancy to this lively and lovely girl majoring in English at first sight.

The Prime Minister encouraged her to catch up with the "Master" discipline.

1April, 965, Tang Wensheng, full of youthful elegance, came to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People's Republic of China (PRC) by bus. On this bus, there are many young people assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who are also graduates of "Beiwai", including Mr. Zhang Deguang, a burly and powerful former vice minister of foreign affairs and now secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Tang Wensheng was assigned to the English Department of the Translation Department of the Ministry of Education. The first time she met her beloved Premier Zhou in diplomacy was at the Finnish Embassy in China shortly after she entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At that time, Zhou Enlai was invited to attend a banquet hosted by the Finnish Ambassador, accompanied by Prime Minister Ji Zhu Chao. Tang Wensheng was able to stand aside because the Finnish ambassador also invited another guest from China, Mr. Gan Yetao, then director of the Treaty and Law Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Tang Wensheng accompanied him as an English translator of Gan Yetao. Zhou Enlai recognized Tang Wensheng's new face at a glance: "What's your name?" "Tang Wensheng." Looking at the beaming Prime Minister, Tang Wensheng blushed and replied that she was a little at a loss. Those who have a good memory came back from "Beiwai" and immediately remembered the introduction. "Work hard and catch up with the master within two years!" Premier Zhou smiled and pointed to Ji, who was beside him.

I fainted when I was translating in Mao Zedong for the first time.

1In July, 966, Mao Zedong left Beijing where the "Cultural Revolution" was coming. Go south to Wuhan. On the morning of July 16, Mao Zedong, who was on a speedboat, got into the water near Wuchang levee, which was his fourth swimming in the Yangtze River since June 1956. When Mao Zedong was swimming in the Yangtze River, two people had completely different interests from Mao Zedong. First of all, Liu Shaoqi, who was sitting in Beijing and presided over the work of the Central Committee, tried to send a working group to universities and colleges in the capital during the "Cultural Revolution". Secondly, Tang Wensheng, a small interpreter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was on pins and needles because she was temporarily transferred to Mao Zedong for simultaneous interpretation. On July 9, an emergency meeting of Asian and African writers hosted by the great poet Guo Moruo was grandly closed in Beijing. Subsequently, representatives from 53 countries and regions and observers from 5 countries and organizations went south for sightseeing and came to Wuhan to wait for Mao Zedong's call. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided three translators: French translator Qi, Arabic translator Yong and English translator. "Big shot" Ji participated in the "four clean-ups" in rural Liuyang, Hunan Province, and other main players were temporarily unable to attend, only to think of a temporary "rescue" for innocent and lovely. At first glance, Tang Wensheng's head rattled. She was scared to death. "Chairman of the hunan dialect don't understand? It doesn't matter, Liao Chengzhi, Liu Ningyi are present, can prompt ... "She finally reluctantly persuaded. , Qi, starry night straight into Wuhan. The morning after Mao Zedong swam in the Yangtze River, the interview was about to begin. When Qi, Yong and San are ready to go, giants will appear. Tang Wensheng, who has been in a state of anxiety, finally lost control and almost fainted. "You can't faint, or there will be no one ..." Everyone shouted eagerly, and she opened her eyes slightly. This is another unexpected news. Chubby Liao Chengzhi came over and whispered to everyone, "The chairman is not going to speak ..." Tang Wensheng, who was in a daze, breathed a sigh of relief. However, Tang Wensheng is not an idle generation after all. She has learned from her mistakes. She has studied her translation skills hard and is ready. June1970165438+10/0 Pakistani President General Yahya Khan arrived in Beijing for a state visit to China, with Tang Wensheng as the homepage. This time, it is really "smiles send us light to carry the banner". That night, in the hotel Dongjiaominxiang 15 where the distinguished guests stayed, Yahya Khan couldn't wait to take a message to Nixon during the first separate meeting between Nixon and Zhou Enlai. It was at this time that Tang Wensheng officially began to participate in American affairs during the thawing period. She is a witness of China and the United States moving from confrontation to detente. Ji's wife, Ms. Wang Xiangtong, once wrote: "Since then, there have been several written exchanges between China and the United States. These written translations were done by Zhu Chao and Tang Wensheng. In addition to Zhu Chao and Tang Wensheng, Wang Hairong and a few other leading comrades and other staff members participated in the relevant work. Besides, no one else knows. These situations were top secret before the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. "

4. Feel the greatness of great men.

Tang Wensheng soon discovered in his future relationship with Mao Zedong that this shocking leader was actually approachable and very humorous. On June 30th, at the gate of Tiananmen Square, Mao Zedong met with American friendly Mr. edgar snow amid cheers. This is Mao Zedong's first public response to Nixon's repeated statement that the United States wants to reconcile with China. But Americans ignored Mao Zedong's "eyes". Mao Zedong sat firmly on the fishing boat, but one plan failed and another was born. In 1970, 12 and 13, Time magazine published Si Nuo's report on Zhou Enlai's interview with him in the VIP room of the Capital Gymnasium in the middle of August 18, with the title "The first part of Zhou Enlai's conversation". Mao Zedong paid great attention to the news that caused great repercussions in the international community in the reference news published by Xinhua News Agency, and immediately read the full text. Mao Zedong suddenly decided to meet Si Nuo temporarily because he had something to say about Sino-US relations, especially Nixon's visit to China. 12 18 at about 5 o'clock in the morning, under the order of Mao Zedong, Tang Wensheng hurried to the hotel where Mr. and Mrs. Si Nuo stayed, woke up Mr. Si Nuo who had just slept alone because of staying up late, and took him to Mao Zedong's residence. On this day, although Mao Zedong occasionally caught a cold and felt unwell, both sides talked and laughed. Mao Zedong, wearing pajamas, sat quietly on the sofa with a blanket on his knee. Including breakfast time, the extensive conversation between the two sides lasted for five hours until 1 in the afternoon. Mao Zedong stressed, "We are having a dialogue." At breakfast, Mao Zedong hosted a banquet in honor of Mr. Si Nuo, accompanied by Wang Hairong and Tang Wensheng. Mao Zedong stood up and clinked glasses with Si Nuo enthusiastically. "Long live Chairman Mao!" Si Nuo expressed his gratitude in Chinese. "Long live Si Nuo!" Mao Zedong raised his glass again and repeated in English: "Long live Si Nuo!" The atmosphere of the dinner became more relaxed and pleasant. Next, Mao Zedong clinked glasses with Wang Hairong and Tang Wensheng sitting beside him, and then joked with Si Nuo: "I think you people who talk about liberating women just don't respect women and don't clink glasses with them ..." After that, everyone laughed. Si Nuo was quite frank and repeatedly "apologized" to Wang Hairong and Tang Wensheng: "Sorry, sorry." After breakfast, Mao Zedong and Si Nuo got down to business. Mao Zedong told Si Nuo that US President Nixon was not interested in the Warsaw meeting, but wanted to talk face to face instead of openly, which was mysterious. If Nixon is willing to come, I am willing to talk to him. It's okay to say it, or it's okay to say it; You can quarrel, or you can not quarrel; Come as a tourist or president. Mao Zedong also said, and specially let Tang Wensheng pass the notebook to Si Nuo to show sincerity. "I don't think I will quarrel with Nixon. Criticism means criticizing him. We should also make self-criticism, that is, talk about our mistakes and shortcomings. For example, our production level is lower than that of the United States, and we will not make self-criticism. " Mao Zedong often talks about serious topics in humorous language. From a strategically located position, the whole world and the world situation are contained in the room of Zhongnanhai. Tang Wensheng was deeply infected by the great courage and indescribable charm of the leaders and great men who had crossed the ocean and showed their true colors as heroes. In the next five or six years, she was lucky enough to listen to this conversation more than once.

Kissinger joked: "Nancy Tang Can is running for president of the United States."

197 1 In the midsummer of, Dr. Henry Kissinger, the national security adviser of the United States, made his first secret visit to China, passing through Pakistan. He Ji took turns as an English interpreter for the talks with Kissinger. After the two sides took their seats, Kissinger casually said to Tang Wensheng, nice to meet Nancy Tang. Tang Wensheng marveled at the excellent intelligence work in the United States-she was only 9 years old when she returned to her motherland from the United States! Foreign Ministry officials looked surprised when they saw Zhang and others. Tang Wensheng hurriedly explained that this is his name in the United States. Kissinger is humorous, knowledgeable and capable. At noon on July 1 1, Ye Jianying and Kissinger had their last luncheon at Diaoyutai. As the two sides reached an agreement on the wording and release time of the announcement, the tension in these two days was swept away and the two sides laughed and laughed. Kissinger joked that Nancy Tang could run for president of the United States, but he couldn't, because Tang Wensheng was born in the United States ... Nixon's visit to China attracted worldwide attention. At the cold capital airport, when Premier Zhou Enlai accompanied President Nixon to review the honor guards of the three armed forces of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Tang Wensheng, wearing a thick coat, stood by and translated for them. Since then, Tang Wensheng has gained great fame, and her youthful and energetic image has appeared more frequently in various media in China and the West.

6. Tang Wensheng and Zhou Enlai in the second year.

At 7 o'clock on the evening of June 26th, half a month before Kissinger's visit to China, the State Council's Premier Zhou Enlai met and hosted a banquet in Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People for Seymour Toping, assistant editor-in-chief of The New York Times, William Atwood, president and publisher of Daily News, and Mrs. Robert KiTriton, foreign correspondent of The Wall Street Journal. Interpreters Ji He sat beside Premier Zhou respectively. This is a gathering of old friends. Topin is the eldest son and son-in-law of Canadian friendly Mr. Lanning. Lanning was born in Xiangfan, Hubei Province, the son of a missionary, and was brought up by a nanny in China. Before the birth of New China, he was a diplomat in the Canadian Embassy in Nanjing, and was later sent to Oslo. Under the situation that Canada did not recognize New China, Lanning became friends with General Wang Youping, the first ambassador of New China to Norway. Mrs toping, who has visited China many times, is a Canadian journalist and actively promotes the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada. At the beginning of the conversation, Zhou Enlai was immersed in memories of the past: "Mr. Toping and Mr. Lan Ning saw that when the China People's Liberation Army liberated Nanjing, the old China government had collapsed, probably in1April 949 ..." After deeply recalling the years spent in Nanjing in the prime of life, Zhou Enlai said with emotion: "Now that I am a prime minister, I am not so free." At this point, he pointed to the notebooks in the hands of Toping, Atwood and Keatley and said, "For example, if I say a sentence now, you can remember one." The meeting ended in a cheerful atmosphere and the two sides walked to the banquet hall. Zhou Enlai said that for health reasons, he couldn't drink any more. "This wine won't catch fire, although you can light it with a match." "After drinking for 30 years, I have given up drinking ..." Although Zhou Enlai announced in advance that he had given up drinking, he and American guests kept toasting each other at the party, and the atmosphere was warm. "I'll drink if I want, never pretend!" Zhou Enlai's face was red. Tang Wensheng was on pins and needles. She is worried about the health of the Prime Minister. The banquet has been going on for nearly four hours, and the clock in the hall is slowly approaching midnight. When Zhou Enlai finished the last cup of Moutai, Tang Wensheng finally stood up and said solemnly in front of all the guests: "Premier, you can't drink any more!" However, despite Tang Wensheng's opposition, Zhou Enlai, who was still in a drunken state, drank the "last Maotai" in one breath, and then turned to meet Tang Wensheng, who was a little angry. The episode "Persuade Wine" shows Tang Wensheng's loveliness and simplicity from one side. Her cuteness really left a deep impression on people. Many visiting foreigners used the same English word when commenting on Tang Wensheng: "sweet" 197 1 year. Tang Wensheng joined Greater China at the age of 28. But the excited Tang Wensheng never imagined that two years later, she was elected as an alternate member of the Central Committee at the China National Congress which Mao Zedong attended and presided over for the last time! So far, she is still the only woman who has joined the Central Committee as an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Tang Wensheng's last post in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was a member of the Party Group and Deputy Director of the Americas and Oceania Department.

Deputy Editor of China Daily, the only English-language newspaper in China.

From 1984, he served as deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, the only English newspaper in China, and later served as director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Railways. From 1999, he served as vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

Inherit his father's career.

Tang Wensheng is one of the best English translators in the diplomatic circles of New China. Worked as an English translator in Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai.

Global Online News: On August 3, 2006, in the second Beijing-Tokyo Forum held in Tokyo, Japan, the special correspondent of China Journal website Global Online in Japan interviewed Mr. Tang Wensheng on the significance of holding this forum and other related issues. Mr. Tang is a legend to the generation of journalists. Mr. Tang is the "daughter" of Mr. Tang Mingzhao, the first UN Under-Secretary-General in New China. Recalling his father's influence on himself, Mr. Tang said: "My father is a very upright man, very principled, but also very reasonable. His words and deeds are the wealth of my life. " Ms Zhang Xixian, the mother of the Tang Dynasty, was once the "most beautiful girl" on the unnamed lake in yenching university. She participated in the patriotic movement on1February 29th, and later studied for a master's degree at Columbia University. After finishing, she became a promoter of children's education. Mr. Tang Wensheng was born in New York, USA, and returned to China with his mother in 1952. Under the careful guidance of his parents, Mr Tang Wensheng inherited his father's career. In the diplomatic history of China in 1970s, Mr. Tang experienced many important events that affected the changes of the world pattern.

He was the vice chairman of China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

Since 1980s, Mr. Tang has been the deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, the director of the International Cooperation Department of China Ministry of Railways and the vice chairman of the China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. The ups and downs of decades of working experience have tempered Mr. Tang's free and easy bearing of "she laughs in the grass". As a witness who has experienced the important historical moment of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, Mr. Tang, together with many enthusiastic people of insight, worked hard to solve some problems in Sino-Japanese relations as soon as possible. Looking at Mr. Fahua's confident smile, how can we not be moved and admired?

Reporter: Mr. Tang, this is your second time to attend the Beijing-Tokyo Forum. As a historical witness of many important events in China, when there are problems in Sino-Japanese relations at present, could you please talk about some feelings of participating in this forum?

Eager for the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations

Mr. Tang: I am not an expert on China-Japan issues. However, our generation has personally experienced those exciting moments when China and Japan resumed diplomatic relations. I was born in 1943 during World War II, and my parents both experienced and opposed the war of aggression. However, we also know that even in the most severe situation, there is always a warm current between the Chinese and Japanese people that needs friendship. After the founding of New China, my father went to Hiroshima for many times to attend the meeting against atomic bombing. Many Japanese friends present at the meeting are firmly opposed to another war. At that time, the Japanese government was hostile to the new China, and Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations could not be restored for a long time. But many people in both countries have made unremitting efforts to improve Sino-Japanese relations as soon as possible. For this reason, Premier tanaka kakuei led a delegation to visit China in 1972. The resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Japan is a very exciting historical event for the Chinese and Japanese people. Those touching historical scenes are still fresh in people's memory. Since then, Sino-Japanese relations have developed greatly in all aspects. Suppose you are an international student. Many foreign students trained by the two countries for each other have taken on the important task of promoting political, economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries after their studies, and have woven a bond for the development of Sino-Japanese friendly relations from generation to generation. It is precisely because of the joint efforts of the Chinese and Japanese people that Sino-Japanese relations have been developing continuously since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which is in the interests of both China and Japan and is also a matter of satisfaction to the two peoples. "China and Japan are separated only by a strip of water". People my age remember many earnest words of China at that time. The Chinese people and government sincerely hope that the Sino-Japanese relations jointly built by the two peoples can develop in a benign and long-term way.

Promote the establishment of friendship with Japan when working in the railway department.

Personally, I am engaged in foreign work. In the cooperation with Japanese friends, I also realized that perhaps because both China and Japan belong to countries under the influence of oriental civilization, it is easier for us to understand each other's ideas. If the two sides can cooperate sincerely, they are more likely to get twice the result with half the effort in their work. I used to work in the railway sector for more than ten years, when China and Japan had close cooperation in railway construction. Many Japanese railway technicians came to China to participate in the construction of China Railway. They told me that Japan has long passed the era of building railways on a large scale like China, but they can participate in the railway construction in China, feeling that a hero has found a place to use. The sincere friendship and professionalism of Japanese railway technicians deeply touched all the China staff who worked with them. We have established a profound friendship.

When Sino-Japanese relations are overcast, I think we can build a private platform.

Unfortunately, Sino-Japanese relations stagnated or even regressed later. The reasons for this cultural situation are so complicated that many young friends in China can't understand it. They can't understand why a small number of Japanese can't treat history correctly and regard war criminals as heroes, which is also a problem that some adults, especially those who have experienced the war personally, can't understand. Not only the people of China can't understand it, but also the people of all countries hurt by that war can't understand it. The indignation caused by this led to some young people's excessive behavior, which caused repercussions among some Japanese. Under the influence of various factors, the sky over Sino-Japanese relations is overcast. Seeing the deteriorating situation, people of insight in politics, economy and media in China and Japan think it is necessary to establish a non-governmental platform to explore ways to improve the situation through frank discussions. So they established the unofficial public diplomacy platform "Beijing-Tokyo Forum". I deeply agree with this. It is very meaningful and influential for people of insight in the two countries to sit together to discuss issues, including those that differ from each other, communicate and seek consensus.

Push China-Japan relations out of the predicament

In fact, this effect has already appeared. If the Beijing-Tokyo Forum held in Beijing for the first time last year was still tentative, the frank and enthusiastic exchanges and discussions between the two sides inspired everyone. Compared with the first forum, the second Tokyo-Beijing Forum held in Tokyo has made great progress in the scale, depth and breadth of discussion. This not only proves the success of this forum, but also reflects the expectations of the Chinese and Japanese people for a breakthrough in Sino-Japanese relations. When the Beijing-Tokyo Forum was first held last year, it was held for 10 years. I believe that 10 years later, when you review the role and influence of the forum, you will be gratified by the efforts made by people of insight in China and Japan to promote the healthy development of bilateral relations. Because they are proceeding from the interests of the country and the people, they are pushing China-Japan relations out of the predicament and developing healthily, which is not only in the interests of China and Japan, but also in the interests of people in Asian countries.

I still have great feelings for railway work.

Mr. Tang: I used to be the director of the international cooperation department of the Ministry of Railways at 13. Although I left this department on 1999, I still have great feelings for railway work. China Railway is now in a period of great development, and the railway is the main artery and mode of transportation of China's national economy. At present, the railway situation in China does not meet the needs of national economic development, so there is a great demand for the development of China railway in terms of road network and technology. China's railway construction needs greater development, which contains extensive space for international cooperation.

Japan has excellent technology and products in railway construction. Therefore, I personally think that China and Japan have great potential for cooperation in railway construction. Of course, good technology transfer will help promote cooperation, such as when China Railway Department bought two 60-train buses from Kawasaki Heavy Industries. At present, Sino-Japanese relations are described as "political coldness and economic hotness", but I think it is precisely because of "political coldness" that Sino-Japanese economic relations have not reached their due height. If Sino-Japanese political relations can be improved, there will be more room for cooperation between the two countries in railway construction. This requires the joint efforts of China and Japan.

Reporter: I know that Mr. Tang is one of the vice-chairmen of the 6th China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. You were born in an overseas Chinese family. I think you will have special feelings for your overseas compatriots. Please share your feelings with overseas Chinese in Japan.

Pay tribute to the new and old overseas Chinese who promote Sino-Japanese friendship.

Tang: I'd like to take this opportunity to say hello to the vast number of overseas Chinese in Japan through your newspaper. Thank you for your contribution to building a new hometown and developing Sino-Japanese friendship. Many older overseas Chinese in Japan have devoted their lives to the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship, and their spirit has moved me very much. A new generation of overseas Chinese are also playing a role as a bridge and link for the common development of China and Japan and the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese peoples through their own efforts. Greetings to the new and old overseas Chinese, wishing them a prosperous career, a happy family and good health. After returning home, welcome to contact the Overseas Chinese Federation in China and other places. Overseas Chinese Federation will always be the home of overseas Chinese.