Editor's Note

Galas, exhibitions and seminars have been held across the country to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of Mao Zedong. Born on December 26 in 1893 in Shaoshan village, Hunan Province, Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in China's modern history.

Memorials

Art exhibition named "Giant Mao Zedong" at the National Museum of China Time: December 24, 2013 – March 30, 2014 The exhibition features Mao's calligraphy along with paintings and sculptures of the late Chinese leader.	Gala commemorates Mao Zedong in Hunan Time: December 23, 2013 The show was attended by more than 2,000 people, including Mao's relatives, and featured performances of revolutionary songs and recitals from Mao's classic works.
Chronicle released to commemorate Mao's 120th birthday Time: released on December 22, 2013 The six-volume, 3-million-word chronicle describes Mao's life and achievements after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.	Exhibition to commemorate Mao’s birthday in Hong Kong Time: December 17 - 20, 2013 The exhibition consisted of 500 historical pictures and related cultural relics.
Maogong Baoding unveiled in Beijing Time: October 31, 2013 Maogong Baoding, a bronze tripod, was unveiled on October 31 in Beijing to commemorate the great achievements of late Chairman Mao Zedong. Mao's relatives attended the ceremony.	Copies of Mao’s manuscripts on exhibition in Hubei Time: September 12 – October 8, 2013 More than 30 copies of the late Chairman Mao’s manuscripts written between 1912 and 1967 were exhibited in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei Province.

Source: Agencies – Globaltimes.cn

More: Chronicles of the Chairman

A scene from TV series Mao Zedong Photo: Courtesy of Heguang Media, one of the producers of Mao Zedong.

Latest News

Leaders pay respects to Mao
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on December 26 that the Communist Party of China (CPC) will hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought "forever," as he attended a symposium commemorating the 120th anniversary of Mao's birth.

Symposium commemorates Mao's 120th anniversary
The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on December 26 held a symposium commemorating the 120th anniversary of the birth of Mao Zedong.

85% say Mao's merits outweigh his faults: poll
A Global Times poll has revealed that more than 85 percent of respondents see the merits of Mao Zedong as greatly outweighing his mistakes, with more than 90 percent of respondents showing reverence or respect to Mao.

Survey says…

Do you agree that Mao Zedong’s achievements outweigh his mistakes?

How does Mao’s era affect modern day China?

(The results of the poll have been rounded up, so the percentage points may slightly surpass or fall short of 100 percent when added up.
The survey, conducted by the Global Times Global Poll Center through telephone interviews and online polls on Monday and Tuesday, interviewed 1,045 respondents aged over 18 in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Changsha and Shenyang.)

Editorials:
Mao's feats won't be easily disavowed
Mao's name has been written into China's constitution. China won't allow the bigotry of defaming Mao to go unrestrained. As Chinese society is growing to be more mature, the populace will rise to be the major force to preserve Mao's image, and laws and social ethics will also play significant roles.

Mao’s legacy foundation of Chinese rejuvenation
Mao denigration driven by political motives
Mao Zedong Thought remains relevant

More reports:
Mao anniversary marked across country
Evoking a legacy
Party newspaper praises Mao's role ahead of 120th birthday
An artistic ode to the celebration of Chairman Mao Zedong’s birthday
Event to commemorate Mao's birth changed to New Year gala

Photos

Voices

●Written by Leng Rong, head of the CPC Central Committee's Party Literature Research Office, the article published on the People's Daily quoted late leader Deng Xiaoping as saying

We are doing work that was put forward by Mao but he did not do. We are also correcting what Mao did incorrectly, and doing work well that Mao did not do well enough.


●Mao Xinyu, grandson of Mao Zedong and major general in the PLA

The world has seen tremendous change over the past 37 years after my grandfather passed away. However, the Chinese people have not forgotten him, and neither have his enemies. While most of the public admiration he enjoyed while alive came from the emotional and political zeal of the era, the commemoration and respect his memory receives today are more rational, a result of historical retrospect and reflection on past experience. Today’s admiration is more real and embodies the eternal charm and value of his thoughts.


●Zheng Guoliang, a craftsman who made porcelain for Mao

Mao is held in high esteem among us. It is an emotion that the younger generation like you can't understand.


●Huang Jisu, a sociologist, playwright and cultural critic

There are also Mao fans in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, while some young people in universities also admire him. It is not rare for entrepreneurs and millionaires to admire Mao. Admiration for Mao does not necessarily mean the admirers want to go back to the Mao era.

●CCH1201, a Net user
It is still hard to clarify what Mao did wrong and what he did right. The wrong needs to be condemned and the right needs to be hailed. By doing so, he won’t be that controversial.

For more>>

Web editor: guwei@globaltimes.com.cn