TNAG-2102-FCO40-2991-Leading-personalities-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 102

CONFIDENTIAL

7

RECEN

For information

on 6 February 1990

CSX OFFICEN

12 MAR 1990

REGISTRY

IMULA

~TRY

Blue Vol XXXIX (23)

XCX (90)9

Copy No

78

Action Taken

ว

f

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

PERSONALITY NOTE ON ZHOU NAN >

NEW DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY

HK personalities. A1512

Zhou Nan was born in Shandong in November 1927. According to a recent article in a Hong Kong magazine, his father was at one time an official under Zhang Xueliang. Zhou Nan was, according to this report, taken to Tianjin when he was 4 years old and was educated there until going to Yanjing University in 1945 to study philosophy. From Yanjing he moved to Peking University in 1946 to study economics and subsequent ly European literature. He reputedly joined the Communist Party while at Peking University, changing his name from Gao Qingzong to Zhou Nan. He took an active role while at university in

in anti-KMT student activities. In 1950 he enrolled as a volunteer for Korea. While in Korea he was assigned to look after US prisoners of war. On his return to China he joined the MFA. Between 1951 and 1981 he spent a total of 20 years abroad serving in Pakistan, Tanzania and at the Chinese mission to the United Nations where he rose to the rank of Deputy Permanent Representative. In 1982 he was appointed Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Western Europe, and in 1984 Vice Minister. He led the Chinese delegation for the latter parts of the talks on the future of Hong Kong. In 1985 he accompanied Zhao Ziyang and in 1986

1986 Hu Yaobang on their visits to the UK. He last

last visited Hong Kong, before his present appointment in March 1989.

}

2

[1

a

Zhou's wife, Huang Guo, has in recent years been a Counsellor in the research department of the Foreign Ministry. They have two daughters, one of whom studied in the US. He speaks Russian and Polish, as well as fluent English. He appears to have given up smoking (he was a chain smoker) although he still likes to drink at social occasions. His penchant for Tang dynasty poems is well known. He also writes poetry himself. Zhou has a sharp brain. He has been described by his interlocuters as larger than life character, by turns charmer, buffoon and bully who uses his excellent English to joke and tease and to show off wide cultural and literary interests". But he is also a loyal diplomat who carries out instructions effectively. He likes to involve himself in work. He also likes speaking to the press. plays in policy making is less certain. undoubtedly trusted and thought highly of by the Chinese leadership. Deng Xiaoping singled him out for praise for his role in the Hong Kong negotiations.

2 February 1990

day day to day The role he

But he is

COUNCIL CHAMBER

CONFIDENTIAL