As part of the programme to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and the People's Republic of China (PRC), the legendary English-Chinese interpreter for PRC's founding leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, Tang Wensheng will be visiting Malaysia from June 24 to 26.

Secretary-general of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Tan Kai Hee told malaysiakini that Tang (photo) will pay a courtesy call to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Najib's late father, former premier Tun Abdul Razak had personally met Mao and Zhou in Beijing on May 31, 1974 to open diplomatic relations between the two countries.

According to Tan, the New York-born Tang was present as the official interpreter for China's leaders when Tun Razak met Mao and Zhou.

Language bridge

Tang also acted as the language bridge between Mao and the then US president Richard Nixon and his national security adviser Dr Henry Kissinger as well as American journalist who penned Red Star Over China in late 1930s, Edgar Snow.

Tang, 66, was popularly known in the United States in the 1970s as "Nancy Tang."

Her father Tang Mingzhao was the first Chinese to be named deputy secretary general of the United Nations.

Having retired from diplomatic service, Tang is now a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), vice-chairperson of the Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, advisor to the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and also vice-president of China's Soong Ching Ling Foundation.

"Tang will also attend a grand dinner held in Kuala Lumpur on June 25 to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations and 15th anniversary of the inauguration of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association," said Tan.