Zhao Ziyang (The Era of Relative Peace)

Zhao Ziyang (October 19, 1919-January 17, 2005) was the first president of the Chinese Federated Union, an East Asian democratic state that replaced the People's Republic of China in the mainland after World War III.

He was a former General Secretary for the Communist Party of China from 1987 to 1989. He was removed from his post due to his openness with the student protestors during the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989. He was placed under house arrest afterwards. He was later freed by Chinese rebels during the Second Chinese Civil War and was chosen by majority of the Chinese, Ughurs, Tibetans, and Manchus to be the leader of the new democratic China.

Zhao was present in the signing of the peace treaty in Geneva, Switzerland, that marked the end of the Third World War. He restored relations with the U.S., the U.K, and other countries attacked by the Communist Chinese during the war. In 1991, he announced the CFU would recognize Tibet, East Turkistan, and Taiwan as separate independent states, further increasing his popularity at home and abroad. Along the way, the United Kingdom were able to discuss the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong. Despite Hong Kong being attacked by the PRC, the CFU was deemed the successor and being democratic, the agreement went smoothly. Portugal also held talks with the CFU. Zhao witnessed the return of Hong Kong (1997) and Macau (2000) back to China peacefully.

Zhao passed away on January 17, 2005 due to stroke. His death saddened China, the successor states, and the world, for he was known as the person who restored democracy to China. Zhao's funeral was attended by several leaders around world, as well as people from the different Chinese successor states.