 Sihanouk was not even informed of the fall of Phnom Penh; he initially went to Pyongyang until Zhou Enlai persuaded him to return as Cambodian Head of State, despite severe misgivings on Sihanouk's part.Sihanouk was given a ceremonial reception in Phnom Penh, but was deeply shocked by what he observed in the city.The death of his protector Zhou Enlai in January 1976 weakened Sihanouk's position further