Supporters Mark 50th Anniversary of Mao Zedong's Death in Hunan
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Fifty years after the death of Mao Zedong, supporters of the Communist leader gathered in his hometown of Shaoshan in central China's Hunan province on Wednesday to pay tribute on the milestone anniversary. The commemorations drew hundreds of visitors who laid chrysanthemum wreaths, bottles of Chinese alcohol, and cigarettes at a 10-metre-tall bronze statue in the main square, while around 1,000 ardent admirers held an emotional ceremony the night before .
Key Points
- Mao Zedong died on September 9, 1976, and the 50th anniversary of his death was commemorated on September 9, 2026
- Hundreds of visitors lined up in carefully organised queues at the Mao Zedong Bronze Statue Square in Shaoshan, Hunan province
- Tourists, many of them university students, laid chrysanthemum wreaths, alcohol, and cigarettes at the 10-metre bronze statue
- Around 1,000 admirers attended a ceremony the night before, some wearing tunic-style suits and waving portraits and copies of the "Little Red Book"
- Deng, a 28-year-old tourist, said he was influenced by Mao's spirit and came to commemorate him as the anniversary "only comes around once in a lifetime"
Why It Matters
The commemorations highlight a growing nostalgia for Mao's egalitarian ideals as China faces economic headwinds, with some citizens expressing renewed interest in his vision of equitable distribution . While Mao remains revered by many, historians continue to debate his legacy, with critics attributing mass starvation and millions of deaths to his radical policies .
The commemorations highlight a growing nostalgia for Mao's egalitarian ideals as China faces economic headwinds, with some citizens expressing renewed interest in his vision of equitable distribution . While Mao remains revered by many, historians continue to debate his legacy, with critics attributing mass starvation and millions of deaths to his radical policies .