Nor
how,
SECRET
This view was reinforced by a reported remark of HO Yin's to the effect that there will be no immediate change in China's foreign policy and Macau and Hong Kong should not therefore be affected by MAO's death. There were even some people glad to make money out ofthe occasion, including flower sellers, many of whose wreaths are said to have included blossom from Taiwan, and bullion dealers, one of whom has already issued a special commemorative medallion offering the ultimate negation of Maoism in 31 grammes of fine silver, inscribed with un-simplified characters. Needless to say, the China-watching commentators also had a bonanza week! But in general, the atmosphere here has been quiet and like in Shanghai (paragraph 6 of Peking Tel No 740 of 13 September), business has continued much as usual. It is not quite clear yet what the communists are planning for 1 October, but they are going ahead with some of the usual celebrations, including the NCNA cocktail party for foreign friends.
I apar
хна.
Yours sincerely,
Charles Fran Fromm (C DS Drace-Francis)
CC
TJ David Esq
Hong Kong Department FCO
R R Garside Esq PEKING
SECRET