In October 1973, as the Sino - US relations began to show signs of thawing, Zhou Enlai, the then Premier of the State Council, cordially met with Professor Niu Manjiang and his wife. At that time, Professor Niu Manjiang was actively engaged in the cause of Sino - US academic exchanges, building a bridge for the communication between the two countries in the field of scientific research. Premier Zhou Enlai expressed his sincere gratitude for his contribution. This meeting became an important measure for China to promote Sino - US academic exchanges after the ping - pong diplomacy, and was of far - reaching significance.
On January 31, 1979, during Deng Xiaoping's visit to the United States, an activity that became a much - told story in the educational and intellectual circles of China and the United States kicked off. Previously, Professor Niu Manjiang, who was teaching at Temple University in the United States, proposed to the school administration to award an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to Deng Xiaoping. At the degree - awarding ceremony, Professor Niu Manjiang personally put the doctoral cap on Deng Xiaoping, and the whole audience burst into thunderous applause. This moment was not only a high - praise for Deng Xiaoping's personal contributions, but also symbolized a new starting point for the exchanges between China and the United States in the field of education and culture, highlighting Deng Xiaoping's international influence and China's firm determination to reform and open up.
