Thursday marked the 120th birthday of late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. In Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the late premier's goal of realizing China's modernization will be achieved in the near future. Here's a look at how Zhou advanced China in international diplomacy.

Born in 1898, Zhou Enlai served as China's premier for 26 years and became known as one of the major designers of the blueprint behind the country's rise. Zhou impressed the world with his pursuit in happiness for the people and the nation's rejuvenation. In April 1954, a multilateral meeting on the Korean Peninsula and Indochina took place in Geneva. It was the first time China took part in an international dialogue.

ZHOU GANG FORMER CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO INDIA "Premier Zhou asked the diplomats to stand firm, love the nation, be loyal to the Chinese people and our country. For the diplomats of the older generation, he is a lifetime goal and inspiration."

In December 1953, Zhou explained the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence while meeting with an Indian delegation. Zhou then visited Indonesia's Bandung in 1955 and shared the Declaration on Promotion of World Peace and Cooperation. The five principles included in the statement are the founding principles that play a crucial role in China's diplomacy.

ZHOU GANG FORMER CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO INDIA "During the Bandung Conference and the negotiation of Sino-French and Sino-US relations, Premier Zhou earned the respect of his friends and opponents with his rich experience and knowledge in diplomacy and his welcoming personality, earning the highest respect in Chinese culture."

In his memoir, former US President Richard Nixon recounted the time he visited China in February 1972. The welcome song at the state banquet was personally picked by Premier Zhou. It was the song played at Nixon's inauguration. The US leader appreciated the warm, well-thought out welcome. A few years later at the United Nations headquarters in New York, flags were at half mast in a show of respect when Zhou passed away in 1976.