Shenzhen Book City was a hot scene for book sales Sunday as more than 800 copies of a retired diplomat's republished autobiography were sold during a 90-minute book signing.

Just the mention of the author's name, Zhang Hanzhi, had people wanting to know the full story in her book, Stride Through the Thick Red Gate.

Zhang's name is closely linked to the history of the People's Republic of China for her contributions as one of the finest first-generation diplomats. At the same time her name is also associated with beauty, elegance, legend and her passionate marriage to Qiao Guanhua, Chinese foreign minister between 1974-1976 who was 22 years older than her.

Zhang's autobiography was first published in June last year and nearly 200,000 copies have been reprinted due to popular national demand.

Zhang's appearance at Book City generated passionate applause from attendees, a rarity at the store. In response to the enthusiasm, Zhang wore a gentle smile on her face throughout the book signing.

Though in her late 70s, one still can see the graceful silhouette of her young self. Dressed in a purplish pink jacket, with a light blue scarf in her short gray hair, Zhang looked calm and elegant.

Stride Through the Thick Red Gate tells her life story, along with the stories of her father, Zhang Shizhao, and her husband who died in 1983.

Zhang Shizhao was one of the most eminent, influential and well-informed political thinkers in the early 20th century.

Along with her prominent husband, Zhang herself was one of the most respected diplomats in China in the 1970s when she participated in a series of important Sino-American activities, such as President Nixon's visit in 1972.

Zhang, along with Qiao, also played an important role in restoring China's U.N. seat. However, her love with Qiao experienced ups and downs during the "cultural revolution."

Zhang started to write the autobiography 20 years ago and wrote articles about her relationship with Qiao 10 years ago, she said at a press conference.

Zhang said the book's popularity is because, "I told a true story."

"I'm neither a writer nor a star," she said. "I wrote for a promise, and to comfort my heart."

While saying "let it be, happiness comes the first" is her philosophy, Zhang offered advice, in the form of a question, for young people — especially young women: “Do you want to do and dare to challenge.”

As for young women "Beauty and fashion not only show on the face," she said.

Though Zhang considered herself a traditional Chinese woman, her daughter Hong Huang seems to be Westernized.

Hong was sent to study in the United States in the 1970s and returned to build her own career in recent years.

Hong also published an autobiography, My Abnormal Life, early this year. She revealed her private life and confessed that she loves men and enjoys sex. Hong is now a well-known magazine publisher for the half-Chinese, half-English Beijing-based magazine, I Look Cosmopolitan.

(Shenzhen Daily  December 9, 2003)