Diplomacy is a battlefield without gunpowder. In this field full of games and challenges, diplomats are the spokesmen of the country and the fighters who defend the interests and dignity of the country. They often have to face all kinds of difficulties and dangers in foreign lands and dedicate their wisdom and strength to the country's diplomatic cause. In the history of Chinese diplomacy, there is such a diplomat, who once established an embassy in a distant island country alone, lived on a Robinson desert island, worked and held on for three years, and created a miracle unprecedented in the history of world diplomacy. He is Wu Zhonghua, China's "loneliest" diplomat.
Wu Zhonghua, born in Hebei in 1939, was admitted to the English major of the Department of Foreign Languages of Nankai University in 1958, and entered the first class after graduating in 1963. He wears many hats, and the workload is huge. From 1973 to 1977, he served as an attaché at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, from 1978 to 1982 he served as Third Secretary at the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, and from 1983 to 1987, he served as Second Secretary and First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations in New York, USA. In these embassies and consulates abroad, he has accumulated rich diplomatic experience, demonstrated excellent diplomatic ability, spoke for China on the international stage, and won respect and praise at home and abroad.
In May 1989, Wu Zhonghua was sent to the Pacific island country of Fiji as ambassador to the embassy, and also served as ambassador to Kiribati and Vanuatu. At that time, the Taiwan authorities used the policy of "money diplomacy" and "flexible diplomacy" to compete with us for diplomatic positions, and constantly made overtures to Kiribati and Vanuatu in a vain attempt to use these island countries to gain some international recognition and support. In order to smash the conspiracy of the Taiwan authorities, Wu Zhonghua traveled back and forth between Fiji and Kiribati and Vanuatu eight times to fight against the leading forces. In February 1990, Wu Zhonghua proposed to *** that the Chinese Embassy in Kiribati should be established as soon as possible to stabilize this diplomatic position. The proposal was quickly approved.
In the same month, 51-year-old Wu Zhonghua went to Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati, to prepare for the establishment of the Chinese Embassy, and began an ascetic life of one person and one museum. Kiribati is one of the least developed countries in the world as recognized by the United Nations. It is composed of 33 large and small islands, with a total land area of only 811 square kilometers, but the terrain is long and narrow, stretching about 3,870 kilometers from east to west and 2,050 kilometers from north to south. This makes it the only country in the world that straddles both north and south latitudes and east and west longitudes at the same time. Life on the island is tough, with most of the inhabitants living in palm fronded shacks, and the Pacific Ocean as far as the eye can see, except for coconut palms and white sand beaches.
Due to the limited conditions, Wu Zhonghua's temporary rented building is only a thatched house. In order to carry out the work as soon as possible, he braved the scorching equatorial sun and prepared for the opening of the museum non-stop. Nailing the hall sign, erecting a flagpole, buying a safe, installing communication equipment ......From the setting of the venue to the food**, from the printing of invitations to the invitations to the various dignitaries, everything is done hands-on and unambiguous. Embassies are the face of a country to the outside world, which can be simple, but must not damage the country's image. Finally, after three days of busy day and night, at 6 p.m. on February 28, the opening reception of the embassy officially kicked off. At the reception, Kiribati** and his wife and cabinet members all attended the reception and extended a warm welcome to the Chinese diplomat, as well as the high commissioners of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand in Kiribati.
Everyone was amazed when they learned that all the work of the reception was done by Wu Zhonghua alone. The banquet food is mainly raw fish and shrimp, and there are also some pasta, and Wu Zhonghua brought a few Chinese canned food from the Fijian embassy, which has become a "special dish" on the table, and is very popular with the guests. The reception lasted from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and after seeing off the last guest, Mr. Wu found that his clothes were soaked with sweat. He was so tired that his legs stiffened and he couldn't sit down. But he couldn't rest yet, and sent out the news as soon as possible, announcing to the world that the Chinese Embassy in Kiribati was officially established!
After the successful conclusion of the reception, Wu Zhonghua's work was also on the right track. Although he is the only one in the embassy, he is a small sparrow and has all kinds of organs, and all domestic affairs with Kiribati are handled by him alone. He wears many hats, and the workload is huge. As the director of the museum, the political, economic, cultural and other aspects of the affairs between the two countries are his top priorities. As a librarian, he is also responsible for the embassy's protocol communication, visits and banquets, and contact reception. In addition, he is also an accountant, flag bearer, cook, driver, buyer, usher...... and so on
In such a difficult environment, Wu Zhonghua not only did not give up, but on the contrary, carried out a series of fruitful diplomatic work with a more positive attitude. First, he successfully defended China's diplomatic position in Kiribati and blocked the attempts of the Taiwan authorities to "money diplomacy" and "flexible diplomacy". He has established good friendships with Kiribati, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, and other high-level leaders, and has repeatedly explained to them the importance of the one-China principle, which has made them firm in their support for China. He also actively participated in major events such as Kiribati's National Day and Independence Day, showing the local people Chinese culture and style.
Second, he has effectively promoted economic cooperation and development assistance between China and Kiribati, and contributed to Kiribati's social progress and improvement of people's livelihood. He used his diplomatic experience and connections to secure aid projects for Kiribati from China and other countries, including medical care, education, agriculture, fisheries, water conservancy, electricity, and communications. He was also personally involved in the implementation and supervision of a number of projects, ensuring the efficient use of funds and materials.
Finally, he actively promoted cultural exchanges and people-to-people cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan, and played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. He invited Chinese art troupes, sports teams, and medical teams to visit and perform in Kiribati, which was warmly welcomed and praised by the local people. He also organized delegations from different sectors such as Kiribati parliamentarians, journalists, and scholars to visit China for study and Xi, allowing them to witness China's development achievements and modernization process. Wu Zhonghua's diplomatic work has been highly praised and appreciated by the people of Kiribati, and has also won the full affirmation and appreciation of China and domestic counterparts. He is known as "one of China's best diplomats" and is also known as "China's loneliest diplomat".
From the story of Oh Jong-hwa, we can see a real and legendary image of a diplomat. With a high sense of mission and responsibility, he dedicated his wisdom and strength to the country's diplomatic cause. With perseverance and tenacious will, he created amazing diplomatic achievements in a difficult environment. With a broad mind and a peaceful mind, he has built deep friendships and trusts with people of different countries and cultures.