Huang Hua first Ambassador of PRC to Canada has Died aged 97

"Huang helped lay the foundation of China's modern foreign policy, meeting secretly with U.S. National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger and helping draft the announcement of President Richard Nixon's groundbreaking visit to the country in 1972.

As foreign minister from 1976-1985, Huang oversaw the formation of diplomatic ties with Washington in 1979 and accompanied paramount leader Deng Xiaoping on his tour of the United States that year."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101124/ap_on_re_as/as_china_obit_huang