A nonprofit Hawaii organization working to strengthen peaceful ties between the U.S. and China is inviting the public to a luncheon and exhibition to recognize the contributions of former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.
The event, being held in conjuncture with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Friday in the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Former Gov. John Waihee, state House Speaker Calvin Say and several Chinese government officials, including representatives from the Foreign and Commerce ministries, will attend. Representatives of all other APEC nations have also been invited.
The event will celebrate the establishment of the Zhou Enlai Peace Institute in Haleiwa and will feature speakers from the former premier’s immediate family, such as Zhou Bing De, his niece and author of "My Uncle Zhou Enlai"; Zhou Xiao Fang, co-founder of the Institute; and Zhou Enlai’s nephew Zhou Hua Zhang. An unveiling of an exhibition about his life will be unveiled.
Zhou Enlai served as the first premier of the People’s Republic of China from 1949 until his death in January 1976. He is credited with crafting China’s modern foreign policy and establishing relationships with countries around the world.
He negotiated with U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and welcomed President Richard Nixon as the first U.S. president to visit the People’s Republic of China.
The Honolulu chapter of the institute, in Haleiwa, was established in 2010 by Hawaii couple Zhou Xiao Fang, who is originally from Beijing and is a grand-niece of Zhou Enlai, and Michael North, co-founder of America-China Bridge and president of the Greenstar Corp.
Other Zhou Enlai peace institutes are in Beijing and Washington, D.C.
Tickets for the event are $200 a person, $500 for a couple, $3,000 for a Gold Table of eight people and $5,000 for a Platinum Table. Call 282-9598 or visit www.zhouenlaipeaceinstitute.org.
