As the American Consulate General's Hong Kong/Macau Political Officer during the 1967 Emergency, Syd Goldsmith had access to everything the CIA, a Chinese "Deep Throat," and Hong Kong Government contacts would share as the colony faced Chinese Cultural Revolution-inspired threats to its very existence.

He has been a diplomat, advisor to Chinese companies, concert flutist, and university professor during his 40 years in Chinese places. Syd, Hsiu-chen and their two children call Taipei home.