The Diplomat from China

Han Xu, the man who stands out as the preeminent symbol of friendship in my life-time experience with diplomats, died July 19 in a Beijing hospital after a long bout with cancer. In his death the American people lost a good friend.
In the first address to an American audience by a diplomat of the People's Republic of China, Han Xu urged the 1978 graduates of Illinois College in Jacksonville to reach out cordially to people in other countries and to pass the spirit of friendship from one generation to another. He carried this message eloquently and effectively all of his long productive and eventful life.
When in 1978 Governor James Thompson asked me to organize an agricultural trade mission to China, Han paved the way with a successful agenda.
Shortly before Han's departure as deputy chief, I hosted a fun-filled luncheon for him in the U.S Capitol building. It was a rollicking success. In his work, Hah always presented the position of the Chinese government in the best light possible and some of the assignments were not easy.
In every approach, he was positive, vigorous, smiling, courteous, and deferential.
Han Xu kept friendship ties strong even in adversity. It mattered not whether either of us was in office or out. Year after year, he kept inviting the Findleys to dinners and receptions while he was in Washington and on his return to China, to be his guests for a holiday there. For Han Xu, friendship was forever.
---- Excerpts from the article