Koo, Vi Kyuin Wellington (1888-1985)

Chinese Nationalist politician, and diplomat. Born in Shanghai, as Ku Wei-chun, he studied in the USA, at Columbia University. At the conclusion of World War I, Koo represented Republican China at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference and during the inter-war years served as foreign minister 1922-24 and 1931-32, and as finance minister 1926-27. Thereafter, as the Kuomintang (Guomindang, nationalist) regime which he supported was forced on the retreat, by the twin challenges of the communists and the Japanese, Koo concentrated on a diplomatic career.

He represented the Republic of China at the League of Nations 1932-34 and was ambassador to France 1932-41, the UK 1941-46, and the USA 1946-56. After the communist takeover of the mainland in 1949, he followed the Kuomintang Jiang Jie Shi (Chiang Kai-shek) to Taiwan and remained a senior official adviser to President Jiang until 1974.