The photo shows Annan accompanied by Chinese and U.N. officials, visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing on April 1, 1998. Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general who won the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work, passed away at the age of 80 on August 18, 2018. Annan visited China several times during his lifetime. [Photo: VCG]

The photo shows Annan receiving a portrait from Zhang Junsheng, Secretary General of the Communist Party Zhejiang Committee after being conferred with an honorary doctorate degree at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, October 14, 2002. Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general who won the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work, passed away at the age of 80 on August 18, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

The photo shows Annan with a UN flag which flew with Col. Yang Liwei on China's first manned space mission, at UN headquarters in New York, May 19, 2004. Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general who won the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work, passed away at the age of 80 on August 18, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

The photo shows Annan posing with China's then State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, Beijing, May 22, 2006. Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general who won the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work, passed away at the age of 80 on August 18, 2018.[Photo: VCG]

The photo shows Annan and his wife Nane visiting the construction site of China's National Stadium for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, May 23, 2006. Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general who won the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work, passed away at the age of 80 on August 18, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

The photo shows Annan speaking at Peking University in Beijing, May 23, 2006. Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general who won the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work, passed away at the age of 80 on August 18, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

The photo shows Annan at the Global Social Entrepreneurs Forum 2015, which was held at the Beijing Yanqi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center, November 25, 2015. Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general who won the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work, passed away at the age of 80 on August 18, 2018. [Photo: VCG]