Zhao Ziyang was a Chinese politician. He was the third premier of the People's Republic of China from 1980 to 1987, vice chairman of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 1981 to 1982, and CCP general secretary from 1987 to 1989. He was in charge of the political reforms in China from 1986, but lost power for his support of the 1989 Tian'anmen Square protests.
Zhao in 1985
Zhao (top left) pictured with Mao Zedong in Wuhan, January 1966
Zhao was hosted by US president Ronald Reagan at the White House on 10 January 1984 as part of a broader effort to improve China's relations with the West.
No. 6 Fuqiang Hutong, where Zhao lived
Vice Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party
The vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party was the second-highest rank within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) after the chairman from 1956 to 1982. The position was phased out after 1982 in order to remove the "Chairman" position from any government posting, resigning it solely to the late Mao Zedong.
Image: Liu Shaoqi Colour
Image: Mao Zedong sitting
Image: Zhou Enlai and Li Ne (Cropped)
Image: Zhu De