Tian Zhao

Tian Zhao appears in the single-player campaign of Call of Duty: Black Ops II as the leader of the SDC (Strategic Defense Coalition), a Chinese-led East Asian military alliance that serves as America's primary strategic rival in the year 2025. Admiral Briggs strongly dislikes Zhao, calling him a "cocksucker" and describing him as an ambitious hardliner that even the Chinese leadership can't control.

Zhao appeared as a Chinese agent and an ally of Alex Mason, Frank Woods and Jason Hudson during the mission " Old Wounds " in Afghanistan in 1986. He, along with other Chinese soldiers and the CIA agents, assisted the Mujahideen in defending against the Russian attacks. After their leader, Mullah Rahmaan, revealed his true nature, Zhao was beaten up along with the CIA agents and was left to die in the desert along with them. They were saved by two unknown travelers, one of whom was seen by Mason as Viktor Reznov. Sometime after this, Zhao attained a high position within China's government, eventually becoming Chairman of the SDC.

After David Mason and Harper escaped Anthem, they ran straight into SDC soldiers. Tian Zhao, who recognized David as Alex Mason's son, ordered his SDC soldiers to stand down, stating that if David was attempting to kill Menendez, then Zhao had no reason to harm David.

If the player successfully eavesdrops on Menendez's conversations in Fallen Angel, it is revealed that Menendez was planning to form an alliance with Zhao. U.S. Command authorized Zhao's assassination in the final Strike Force Mission, Dispatch, where a Navy SEAL shot him in the chest. With Zhao's death, less hardline Chinese leadership takes over the SDC and JSOC end up forming an alliance against Raul Menendez.

Trivia

 * Zhao and Briggs can be seen dancing together and hi-fiving at the outro dance.