[1] For his contributions to the introduction of Spanish literature to foreign readers, he was honored with Queen Isabel Medal by the Spanish government in 1998, Order of May by Argentina in 1999, and Neruda Centennial Medal by Chile in 2004.
[2] Zhao was born in Shunyi County, Beijing, in February 1940.
He secondary studied at Niulanshan High School (牛栏山中学).
In 1959, he was accepted to Peking University, majoring in French, one year later, he was transferred to the newly founded Spanish Department alongside Zhao Deming [zh] and Duan Ruochuan [zh].
[1][2] Zhao married Duan Ruochuan [zh], who is also a Spanish literature translator.