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When Zhou Enlai passed away, the United Nations lowered its flag to half-mast for him. The following is excerpted material:
“On January 8, 1976, when Zhou Enlai passed away, the UN flag in front of United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, was lowered to half-mast. This was extremely rare. Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945, many heads of state around the world had died one after another, yet the United Nations had never lowered its flag to half-mast for anyone.
Some countries felt it was unfair. Their diplomats gathered in the square in front of the UN gate and angrily questioned UN Headquarters: when our heads of state died, the UN flag flew so high, but when China’s premier dies, why should it be lowered to half-mast for him?
At the time, UN Secretary-General Waldheim stepped forward and gave a very short speech right there on the steps in front of the UN building, altogether no more than one minute. He said: ‘The decision to lower the UN flag to half-mast in mourning for Zhou Enlai was mine, for two reasons: first, China is an ancient civilized country. Her gold and silver treasures are too numerous to count, and the Renminbi she uses is more than we can count. But Premier Zhou did not have one penny in savings! Second, China has a population of 1 billion, one quarter of the world’s population, yet Premier Zhou did not have a single child. If the head of state of any of your countries can accomplish even one of these, then on the day of his death, Headquarters will likewise lower the flag to half-mast for him.’
After saying this, he turned and left. All the diplomats in the square were left speechless, and then thunderous applause broke out. It reflects that the noble character of our beloved Premier Zhou is unmatched in the world.”
When Zhou Enlai passed away, the United Nations lowered its flag to half-mast for him. The following is excerpted material:
“On January 8, 1976, when Zhou Enlai passed away, the UN flag in front of United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, was lowered to half-mast. This was extremely rare. Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945, many heads of state around the world had died one after another, yet the United Nations had never lowered its flag to half-mast for anyone.
Some countries felt it was unfair. Their diplomats gathered in the square in front of the UN gate and angrily questioned UN Headquarters: when our heads of state died, the UN flag flew so high, but when China’s premier dies, why should it be lowered to half-mast for him?
At the time, UN Secretary-General Waldheim stepped forward and gave a very short speech right there on the steps in front of the UN building, altogether no more than one minute. He said: ‘The decision to lower the UN flag to half-mast in mourning for Zhou Enlai was mine, for two reasons: first, China is an ancient civilized country. Her gold and silver treasures are too numerous to count, and the Renminbi she uses is more than we can count. But Premier Zhou did not have one penny in savings! Second, China has a population of 1 billion, one quarter of the world’s population, yet Premier Zhou did not have a single child. If the head of state of any of your countries can accomplish even one of these, then on the day of his death, Headquarters will likewise lower the flag to half-mast for him.’
After saying this, he turned and left. All the diplomats in the square were left speechless, and then thunderous applause broke out. It reflects that the noble character of our beloved Premier Zhou is unmatched in the world.”
