Today is the 113th anniversary of the birth of Chairman Mao Zedong. Like the 30th anniversary of his death this past September 9, it passed almost unnoticed in China. Mao still gazes from his portrait on the Gate of Heavenly Peace to the square. There are still tens, if not hundreds of Mao statues in China.
But the current leadership of the Communist Party does not want to launch commemorative activities for fear of opening a debate on Mao's merits and demerits. Developing the economy and making money is its goal, not debating the past.
Foreign news media do give it a try, but evaluating Mao in a newspaper story is an impossible task. You can formulate your conclusion, but there's not enough space to prove your point.
Veteran journalist John Roderick, who met Mao in 1946 in Yan'an, poses the question whether Mao was “a monster or an authentic Chinese hero”? (CNN: Mao Zedong: Monster or hero?) But he doesn't answer his own question, although he points to another basic question that should be answered. “Atrocities were committed in his name”. Sure, but does that make the man himself responsible? Food for thought.
There is not enough space for arguments here, but I can at least give you my answer to the questions: Yes, Mao was a Chinese hero, not a monster and No, he was not responsible for the atrocities committed in his name.
The Revolution is not a dinner party, it cannot be so refined...
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