TNAG-0743-FCO40-947-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 127

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Industrial University in 1977, and was among the last group of students since the Cultural Revolution who, until the open enrolment of institutions of higher learning, were granted admission to college without examination. She is regarded in Peking. as a Hunan girl, is a lover of sports and a good table tennis player.

Hua has rejected a petition to obtain college admission for his son who took but failed the open enrolment examination, required for admission to institutions of higher learning, which was held in 1977. Instead, Hua is having his son study hard and prepare well for next year's examination.

Some of Hua's children have retained and use their original surname; for example, his youngest daughter is called Su Li (5685 4461), a name which few people would associate with Hua. Hua and his wife dressed very austerely while working in Hunan. They frequently walked or rode bicycles to the office and were always amiable and accessible to people. Hua then lived at the Provincial People's Council and family members living there used to resort to Hua for solving their problems and settling disputes; in times of need, they would unanimously say "Let's go and find Secretary Hua!"

Mao Chih-hung, current First Secretary of Hunan Provincial C C P Committee, was discovered and promoted by Hua when the latter was staying in Maotien aistrict of Yuehyang Prefecture. Hua discovered Mao Chih-yung, a young basic-level accountant who showed a logical, responsive mind and vigorous capabilities when listening to reports on a certain occasion. Hua gave special

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attention to Mao and promoted him first to Secretary of Maotien District Party Committee, then to Secretary of Yuehyang Prefectural Party Committee and Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee.

Chang Ping-hua, Second Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, took charge of affairs in Hunan after Hua's appointment as Chairman of the Party Central Committee. Chang once proposed to Hua that he would, because of his age and failing memory, consider demotion to an assistant position and pass over the chief duties of the Provincial Party Committee to the younger and stronger Mao Chih-yung. Chang made the additional remark that he had not had any problems with the party for decades, and hoped that his request would be accepted. Hua replied: "I may consider your request but will, however, bargain a little more". Before long, Hua, after consulting with other comrades of the Central Committee, told Chang: "I am going to answer your past request; you don't have to serve as Secretary of Hunan Provincial Party Committee, if you don't want to. You must, however, head the Propaganda Department of the CCP Central Committee". Chang thus began his appointment as. Chief of Propaganda.

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