15 FEBRUARY 1957, Page 8

I SEE THAT the head of the press section of

the Propaganda Department of the Central Com- mittee of the Chinese Communist Party is called Liao Kai Lung, like an earlier purveyor of imaginary tales. Perhaps it was he who advised Mr. Chou En-lai on his present diplomatic technique. If I remember right his namesake gave a classical description of the method. One of his characters said to those with whom he was negotiating : 'May the all-seeing guide your foot- steps,' and then, with courteous forbearance, waited till they were out of hearing before adding, 'into a vat of burning sulphur.' * , *