11 Facts About Zhang Hanzhi

Zhang Hanzhi was born in Shanghai in 1935, the love child of socialite Tan Xueqing and Chen Du, son of General Chen Tiaoyuan.

Zhang Hanzhi was adopted by General Chen's friend, educator and statesman Zhang Shizhao.

Zhang Hanzhi's family moved to Beijing in 1949 and four years later, Zhang entered the Beijing Foreign Studies University, where she taught after graduating with a master's degree.

Zhang Hanzhi started to know him and translate English for him.

In 1971, Zhang Hanzhi was transferred to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking the beginning of her diplomatic career.

Ji and Zhang Hanzhi subsequently agreed that Ji would continue his role during official functions in Beijing, while Zhang Hanzhi would take over banquet interpretation duties in other cities.

Zhang Hanzhi married her first husband Hong Junyan, a Peking University professor, in 1949.

Zhang Hanzhi began an affair with a colleague at the Beijing Foreign Languages Institute, and was caught in the act by Hong's sister.

In 1969, Hong was sent to perform manual labour in Jiangxi Province, and when he returned to Beijing in 1971, rumours were circulating that Zhang Hanzhi was having an affair with Qiao Guanhua, the head of China's UN delegation.

Zhang Hanzhi requested a divorce in December 1972, which was finalized in March 1973, and Zhang Hanzhi married Qiao afterwards.

Zhang Hanzhi died on 26 January 2008, due to a lung-related illness.