After production statistics, about the most carefully concealed figures in Red China belong to the bosses' wives. Premier Chou En-lai's plump partner is often in the spotlight because she herself is a veteran Communist, but hardly anyone ever sees the wives of Chairman Mao Tse-tung and his second in command. Liu Shao-chi.
Several fetching pictures reaching the U.S. from Peking last week showed that during the celebration of Red China's 13th National Day (Oct. 1), Mmes. Mao and Liu both made nearly unprecedented public appearances.
What flushed the ladies from their retreats was the state visit of Hartini, wife of Indonesia's...