There are samples of the environmentally friendly housewares products he sells, like a Durgol biodegradable decalcifier for espresso makers and Zilotex antibacterial microfiber towels, and a newspaper photograph of Fidel Castro, Hugo Chávez and President Evo Morales of Bolivia.

At 6.30 am on 23 August 1958, Mao delivered his response to Khrushchev's peace initiative. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) rained thousands of artillery shells onto the Taiwanese islands of Kinmen and Matsu. The bombardment continued unabated for 44 days, during which time Kinmen sustained hits from over 474,000 artillery shells.

There are honourable people in the government and principled advisers working in Number 10, even if their unheralded service is obscured by the crass antics of spin doctors and the demagoguery of some ministers.

And the whole family, therewith adredd, Rashly out of their rouzed couches sprong