Chinese Soothsayers Warn of Civil War

China will teeter on the brink of civil war, the United States and Japanese currencies will fluctuate wildly and Hong Kong residents should wear white this summer--at least that’s what the soothsayers predict for the Year of the Horse.

The horse, which took over from the snake on Jan. 27, the lunar New Year’s Day, will offer a rough ride but will handsomely reward anyone who is able to take the calculated risk.

Calculations and risks are very familiar to the British colony’s gambling-mad Chinese population, but the writings of its sages surged in popularity following Beijing’s brutal crackdown on China’s pro-democracy movement in June.

“I used to avoid talking about politics, but after June 4 people changed the way they think and they really want to know what will happen,” writes Lam Kwok Hung, who credits himself with predicting the brutal military crackdown in Beijing’s Tian An Men Square.

The horse comes seventh in the Chinese zodiac of 12, each with different characteristics and a different animal as its symbol. The Chinese believe the horse signifies speed, strength and vitality.

For about $1 one can purchase a red booklet sporting the photograph of fortune-teller Lam. It contains specific instructions on how to get through the Year of the Horse without annoying the spirits and demons.

Hong Kong residents wondering if they should join a steady stream of people trying to leave the colony before it is handed back to China in 1997 can be told if and when they should emigrate or whether it is worth staying.

Lam says they should wait, arguing that by 1993 China will be embroiled in a civil war between the north and the south.

“So there is no need to emigrate and become third-class citizens abroad, because when fighting breaks out, Hong Kong will become more important to China and China will then ask Britain to administer Hong Kong for another 30 years,” Lam says confidently.

And, according to another fortune-teller, the negotiators who have been trying to work out the details of Hong Kong’s future political system may as well take early retirement.

“Hong Kong’s political prospects are not good because there will be no major breakthrough in diplomatic talks,” says Lee Kui Ming. He adds, however, that Hong Kong will escape a major disaster as long as its citizens take adequate precautions.

“I hope people will wear white clothes during the summer to reduce the violent atmosphere which will prevail then,” he writes.

Many predict that thousands will take to the streets this summer, as they did last year, in support of the democracy movement in China.

“In the ninth moon (Oct. 18 to Nov. 16) democratic pioneers will come out again and shout loudly their slogans, endangering relations between China and Hong Kong,” writes Lam Chan. “I warn those democracy activists in Hong Kong to control themselves and not to provoke China.”

The Hong Kong Chinese soothsayers also give financial advice.

“This year is not good for speculation, so keep away from buying gold and stocks and avoid the foreign exchange market,” says one.

Lam advises cautious investment and adds that smaller companies on Hong Kong’s stock exchange will collapse. “They will not be a good buy, even if they appear sound,” he says.

Massive foreign currency fluctuations are predicted for May and June as well as December and January.

China will approach economic ruin, Britain will perform badly but West Germany will go from strength to strength, according to some of the soothsayers.

But in the next year, bold investors can take heart.

“By year’s end,” one soothsayer concludes, “the faint-hearted will be out of the race while those with the stamina will be rewarded with runaway success.”