Ambassadors who helped shape Sino-US ties
3rd US ambassador to China: Winston Lord
Term of appointment: Nov 6, 1985 - April 23, 1989
China connections: Lord was the youngest diplomat in the delegation when Henry Kissinger secretly visited China in 1971. The visit paved the way for a groundbreaking 1972 summit in Beijing that opened the door for exchanges between the two countries.
Major issues: Lord was appointed by former US president Ronald Reagan.