Respected diplomat killed in car crash

Nation mourns Wu Jianmin, who served in France, Netherlands and Switzerland

Wu Jianmin, 77, a former Chinese ambassador to France and the Netherlands, died in a car accident in Wuhan, Hubei province, early on June 19.

The former senior diplomat, who often warned against rising global populism, will be remembered for his gentle style, eloquence and sharp comments on how to manage China's international policy and interests in a reasoned manner.

His quotes include "China, having made a few achievements, cannot let its mind be overwhelmed" and "Few countries will make friends with China if it is too shrewd and refuses to offer foreign aid".

His death was widely covered on Chinese news websites and social media. People from all walks of life expressed their condolences.

Wu started work at the Foreign Ministry in 1959 and first served as a French-language interpreter, including for Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai.

He served as a delegate to the United Nations, as the ministry's spokesman, and as ambassador to the Netherlands and to France. Wu was also a permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva.

His last official post was president of China Foreign Affairs University from 2003 to 2008. Thousands gathered at the university on June 19 to mourn his passing.

In his later years, Wu led or took part in public diplomacy forums and think tanks.

Li Ying, a former secretary to Wu, says he did not rest at weekends, sometimes working until 9 pm. "He prepared every speech carefully. He was mild-mannered to everyone and never fussy. He was always energetic, as he kept fit and often drank tea," he says.

Wu's wife, Shi Yanhua, is also a former diplomat. "Wherever they went together, they were hand in hand," Li says.

Wu was an effective speaker for China at global forums. He was elected president of the intergovernmental organization Bureau International des Expositions in 2003, becoming the first Asian to take the post.

Many observers say Wu's popularity mirrors the desire of Chinese for the country to improve its international image and to help understanding between it and the rest of the world.