The Chairman (1969)

Twentieth Century-Fox Film
Directed by J. Lee Thompson
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Fox)

Gregory Peck is sent to China by the US government to steal a formula which allows food to grow in any climate. A transmitter is implanted in his skull which allows the military to listen to him at all times, and, unknown to him, also contains an explosive. He meets Chairman Mao, who is playing ping pong in his palace, where they have a frank political discussion and he is allowed to work with Chinese scientists. The formula is well-protected and he is unable to steal it. One of the older scientists is killed by the Red Army who monitors their every move. Peck escapes from the laboratory by stealing a tank and heading for the Russian border. Entertaining if predictable action thriller, though the politics are dated.