Hu Yaobang

In Jan Wong's Red China Blues, former Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang (胡耀邦, pictured) was described as "a buffoonish character."

Hu had reportedly advocated that for sanitary reasons, Chinese should use knives and forks instead of chopsticks.

The joke went that Hu was chosen by former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping (邓小平) because at four feet eight inches, he was the only person on the ruling politburo who could "look up" to Deng.

Wong noted that Hu's fall from grace began when he made the "fatal mistake of looking enthusiastic" when Deng made a "bogus offer to retire."

As Wong wrote: "To me, Hu was just another party hack who proved once again that being heir apparent was bad for one's health."