Photographic Assignment: Zhongnanhai

On February 22, 1972, the official "People's Daily" reported on its front page the news of U.S. President Richard Nixon's visit to China. The banner headline read, "Nixon Meets Chairman Mao" and the published article stated, "U.S. President Richard Nixon arrived yesterday and Premier Zhou Enlai hosted a welcome for Nixon and his wife." Flanking the left side from top to bottom were three images. The first one was an image of Mao and Nixon shaking hands, square in composition, with Mao beaming in a smile. The next image was a panoramic image of a line of leaders: Zhou Enlai, Mao's interpreter Tang Wensheng, Mao Zedong, Nixon and then- U.S. National Security advisor Henry Kissinger.