In the 50s of the 20th century, Chen Yi served as Vice Premier of the State Council and concurrently served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, becoming a "marshal diplomat".
After Chen Yi became foreign minister, he quickly won praise for his unique style, which the Japanese called "high-profile diplomacy" and the United Kingdom called "a figure of the new diplomatic school of seeking truth from facts."
Chen Yi is diplomatic, loves and hates clearly, is full of firepower, is witty and humorous, and is sincere. To this end, he said: "I firmly believe that letting the world see a real and unpretentious China is a manifestation of our strong self-confidence." "During his tenure as Foreign Minister, he has always adhered to this principle.
In September 1958, an Australia art delegation visited China to visit an enamel factory in a certain city. After the director introduced the new products to the guests, he insisted that the foreign guests write a paragraph in the message book, saying that their Tang porcelain products have surpassed similar products in Sweden. However, the head of the Australia regiment said:
"I'm sorry, your product is good, I believe. But I haven't seen Sweden products and can't compare, so I can't write. ”
As a result, the two sides broke up unhappily.
This is the second time that the regiment commander has come to China. Afterwards, he said to the accompanying interpreter: "When I first came to China, I felt that China was very modest, but now why has it changed again? ”
When Foreign Minister Chen Yi learned about this, he was very saddened. Once, at the meeting, he criticized the factory director who was so happy:
"It's good that you make bowls, cups, and plates well in this enamel factory, so why do you have to force people to say yes? People have already said that you are good, it is enough, and to force people to say that they are better than Sweden, it is really arrogant! Why do foreigners have to say yes? It can be seen that this comrade factory director is still a superstitious foreigner. "
Under Chen Yi's leadership, New China's diplomatic work has established a new image of China and enhanced China's international status with a sincere, frank, and truthful style of seeking truth from facts. Chairman Mao said happily: "Chen Yi is a talented person in diplomacy!" ”
The book "The Ten Marshals of the Chinese People's Liberation Army: The Little-Known History of the Ten Major Commanders of the People's Liberation Army," written by Chen Guanren and published by the CPC History Publishing House, recounts the legendary story of Marshal Chen Yi's diplomacy. The book recounts the battles and life legends of the ten marshals, and is the annual bestseller of the society, and once ranked first on the best-selling list of Chinese military books (pictured).