Ambassadors who helped shape Sino-US ties

2nd US ambassador to China: Arthur W. Hummel, Jr.

Term of appointment: July 30, 1981 - Sept 24, 1985

China connections: Hummel was the first US ambassador to China to have been born in the country. His parents were Christian missionaries in Shanxi and he later studied in Beijing. Hummel remained engaged in work related to China after his retirement.

Major issues: Hummel was appointed by former US president Ronald Reagan. He was chief negotiator for the Sino-US August 17 Communique made in 1982. From January 28 to February 5, 1979, then Chinese vice-premier Deng Xiaoping made an official visit to the US, the first Chinese leader to visit since 1949.