Foreign and Military Affairs
Beijing's top envoy to Washington takes charge
By Ai Yang and Cai Xiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-16 08:13
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Beijing: Zhang Yesui, the 56-year-old newly appointed Chinese ambassador to the United States, arrived in Washington on Sunday at a time of strained ties between the two countries over issues ranging from arms sales to Taiwan to US President Barack Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama.
Friends and colleagues have described Zhang as a sophisticated diplomat with an eye for detail and a refined dress sense.
"Zhang is quite keen about diplomatic manners and always dresses according to the occasion," a former colleague at the Foreign Ministry, who refused to be quoted by name, told China Daily. "His ties and suits match all the time. I remember once, at a lunch buffet, the lively color and pattern of his tie suited the atmosphere very well."
Zhang is also good at tennis, they said.
The ambassador, who was born in Hubei, studied at the Beijing Foreign Studies University before attending the London School of Economics.
Zhang's colleagues said he appears rather "serious and not very talkative". The ambassador always speaks to "to the point," they said.
Chinese scholars who have attended many seminars with Zhang remembered him as a capable person, and said he had excellent knowledge on issues, especially on matters related to the economy.
"We don't agree on some issues, but he explains (China's positions) well," said Steve Orlins, the president of the National Committee on US-China Relations, a New York-based, nonpartisan organization focused on promoting bilateral understanding.
