> This true. IIRC the practice was taken from the US
> diplomatic corps, which became alarmed when personnel
> in China would, after a few years, become sympathetic
> to the Communists.
Most US public services recruit top administrators from outside, for the same reason. Police, fire and teachers in most US cities don't promote from within, no matter the qualifications of local candidates. Wouldn't want the public servants being sympathetic to the public.
Martin