V K Wellington Koo Wei chun

V.K. Wellington Koo Wei-chün was a prominent diplomat and statesman of the Republic of China. He was born in Shanghai in 1888, into a wealthy and influential family. He received a Western education at Columbia University, where he earned a PhD in international law in 1912. He began his diplomatic career as the secretary to Yuan Shikai, the first president of the Republic of China. He was one of the Republic of China's representatives at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, where he demanded the abolition of the unequal treaties and the return of Shandong province from Japan. He also played a key role in the founding of the League of Nations and the United Nations, where he advocated for China's sovereignty and security. He served as the ambassador to France, Great Britain, and the United States at different times, and established close relations with Western powers. He also held various positions in the Chinese government, including minister of foreign affairs, premier, and acting president. He was known for his eloquence, integrity, and professionalism. He was the first Chinese head of state to use a Western name publicly. He married four times and had four children. He was a devout Christian and a supporter of democracy and human rights. He retired from public service in 1967, after serving as a judge on the International Court of Justice in The Hague for ten years. He died in New York City in 1985, at the age of 97. He was buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York. He was posthumously honored with the Order of the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain and the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon. He was also commemorated with a memorial park and a museum in Taipei.