China. Deng Xiaoping bequeathed to the members of the Chinese Politburo brief and succinct instructions for the future. They consist of two documents: one 24 characters long and one, for top-ranking officials, 12 characters long. Here’s the text: “Observe carefully; consolidate our position; calmly address problems; conceal our strengths and bide our time; learn to keep a low profile; never claim leadership.” And the second document: “The enemy troops are massed outside the walls. They are stronger than we are. We must remain primarily on the defensive.”
