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Hong Kong on the Brink

An American Diplomat Relives 1967s Darkest Days
  • ISBN-13: 9789887792789
  • Publisher: BLACKSMITH BOOKS
    Imprint: BLACKSMITH BOOKS
  • By Syd Goldsmith
  • Price: AUD $36.99
  • Stock: 0 in stock
  • Availability: This book is temporarily out of stock, order will be despatched as soon as fresh stock is received.
  • Local release date: 02/05/2022
  • Format: Paperback (215.00mm X 140.00mm) 280 pages Weight: 366g
  • Categories: Memoirs [BM]
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Syd Goldsmiths first taste of Chinas Cultural Revolution is blood on his tongue. It is 1967. Hong Kong is simmering, plagued by communist-led riots and strikes, crippled transport, punishing water-rationing, takeover threats from Beijing and roadside bombs. And Syd -- the only Caucasian Foreign Service Officer at the American Consulate General who speaks Cantonese -- is made responsible for reporting and analysis of the Hong Kong governments ability to survive. The CIA station chief and the head of Macaus gold syndicate play major roles in Syds story, along with Newsweeks bureau chief Maynard Parker, correspondent Sydney Liu and a steady stream of inquiring foreign correspondents and China-watchers. Richard Nixon makes a cameo appearance -- to talk football with Syd since the consul general wont see him -- in this riveting memoir of a year when Hong Kongs borrowed time seemed about to expire.
As the American Consulate Generals Hong Kong/Macau Political Officer during the 1967 Emergency, Syd Goldsmith had access to everything the CIA, a Chinese Deep Throat, and Hong Kong Government contacts would share as the colony faced Chinese Cultural Revolution-inspired threats to its very existence. He has been a diplomat, advisor to Chinese companies, concert flutist, and university professor during his 40 years in Chinese places. Syd, Hsiu-chen and their two children call Taipei home.
"A lively, informative and well written effort and, for me, an evocative trip down memory lane. The personality sketches are deft and right on the mark. -- Burton Levin, former US Ambassador, Consul General & Asia Society Director in Hong Kong
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