At the windup of the National People's Congress in Peking last week, a new Chairman of the Republic took office: dour, self-effacing Liu Shao-chi (see box). With the announcement, Peking's vast Square of Heavenly Peace resounded to the beating of gongs, the clash of cymbals, the rataplan of exploding firecrackers. Demonstrators marched 110 abreast in a swirl of red banners and colored scarves. The usually gloomy and provincial streets blazed with electric lights strung on eaves and curving roofs; red stars and neon signs shone against the night sky; big, pumpkin-shaped...
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