本书用了大约1/3的篇幅来记叙了韩大使出使美国期间的主要经历，因为这是韩大使外交生涯的顶峰。在写作这一部分内容时，作者阅读了大量有关中美关系的不同性质的著作。本书写作所依据的文字资料包括关于韩大使所经历的重大历史事件的文献记载和研究性著作，以及韩大使本人的工作备忘、与友人的通信和筹建联络处直到他去世这20多年间的日程式的日记。此外，还记录了一些他们日常活动中的花絮。

Han Xu, the man who stands out as the preeminent symbol of friendship in my life-time experience with diplomats, died July 19 in aBeijing hospital after a long bout with cancer. Inhis death the American people lost a good friend.

In the first address to an American audienceby a diplomat of the People's Republic of China,Han Xu urged the 1978 graduates of Illinois Col-lege in Jacksonville to reach out cordially to peoplein other countries and to pass the spirit of friend-ship from one generation to another. He carriedthis message eloquently and effectively all of hislong productive and eventful life.

When in 1978 Governor James Thompsonasked me to organize an agricultural trade mis-sion to China, Han paved the way with a success-ful agenda.

Shortly before Han's departure as deputychief, I hosted a fun-filled luncheon for him in theU.S Capitol building.It was a rollicking success.In his work, Han always presented the position ofthe Chinese government in the best light possibleand some of the assignments were not easy.

In every approach, he was positive, vigorous,smiling, courteous, anddeferential.

Han Xu kept friendship ties strong even inadversity. It mattered not whether either of us wasin office or out. Year after year, he kept invitingthe Findleys to dinners and receptions while hewas in Washington and on his return to China, tobe his guests for a holiday there. For Han Xu,friendship was forever.

Foreword 1 Qian Qichen, Former Chinese Vice Premier

Foreword 2 Yang Jiechi, Minister of Chinese Foreign Affairs

Foreword 3 Chen Haosu, President of CPFA.ACHNOWLedEMENT

Chapter 1 In Pursuit of an Ideal (May 1924 - August 1942)

Chapter 2 Diplomatic Practice in the Liberated Areas (August 1942 - October 1949)

Chapter 3 The First Generation of Protocol Officers (November 1949 October 1959)

Chapter 4 Wide Contact with the World (March 1954 - July 1962)

CAapter 5 The Moscow Years (March 1963 - December 1964)

Chapter 6 Protocol Reform (January 1965 - May 1966)

Chapter 7 A Rigorous Test (May 1966 - December 1971)

Chapter 8 The Visits by Richard Nixon and Kakuei Tanal (June 1971- March 1973)

Chapter 9 The Liaison Office (Ⅰ) (March 1973- December

Chapter 10 The Liaison Office (Ⅱ) (January 1978- February

Chapter 11 In Charge of Departmental Affairs (March 1979

Chapter 12 Chinese Ambassador in Washington (Ⅰ) (May 1985-MAY1986)

Chapter 13 Chinese Ambassador in Washington (Ⅱ) (june1986-DCECEMBER 1988)

Chapter 14　Chinese Ambassador in Washington (Ill9 (January 1989- August1989)

Chapter 15 People-to-People Diplomacy (October 1989 - November 1993)

Ghapter 16 Final Days (November 1993-July 1994)

Postscript to the English EDITION

INDEX