The man who turned the tide of Sino-US trade

April 18, 1979 marked a milestone in the history of Sino-US relations. It was the day that a Chinese vessel called on a US port for the first time in 30 years.

It was also a big day for Seattle lawyer Stanley Barer, who had traveled between the two countries, overcome numerous obstacles, lobbied the White House and the US Congress and got the two countries to open up shipping channels and resume trade.

When the vessel Liu Lin Hai first docked at the port of Seattle, Captain Bei Hanting saw Barer among the welcoming committee and walked directly up to him. The two smiled and embraced.