Red Never Fades: Remembering Chairman Mao 48 Years After His Passing
BEIJING, CHINA – September 9th, 2024 marked the 48th anniversary of the passing of Mao Zedong, the iconic leader of the People’s Republic of China. While theinitial announcement of his death in 1976 was met with shock and apprehension rather than grief, the legacy of Mao Zedong continues to be a subjectof intense debate and reflection in China.
The article Red Never Fades: Commemorating the 48th Anniversary of the Passing of Great Leader Comrade Mao Zedong, published on the website Wuyou Zhixiang (Land of No Worries), provides a poignant commentary on Mao’s lasting impact. The author, Later People, draws heavily from the work of British historian, Jonathan D. Spence, in his analysis of Mao’s life and legacy.
The article highlights the tumultuous events that followed Mao’s death, specifically the arrest of the Gang of Four – Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Jiang Qing – just four weeks after his passing. This swift and decisive action by Hua Guofeng, then Chairman of the CommunistParty of China, marked the end of the Cultural Revolution and the beginning of a new era in Chinese politics.
Later People argues that Mao’s legacy is complex and multifaceted. He acknowledges the transformative changes that occurred under Mao’s leadership, including China’s rise from a semi-colonial state to a major power, its transition from a self-sufficient economy to a socialist industrial nation, and its emergence as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
However, the author also acknowledges the controversies surrounding Mao’s later years, particularly the Cultural Revolution. He points out that while Mao’s initial vision was to preventthe rise of a capitalist roader within the Communist Party, the Cultural Revolution ultimately led to widespread social upheaval and political instability.
The article concludes with a reflection on Mao’s final words, The world is yours, and it is ours, but ultimately it is yours. You young people arefull of vigor and vitality, like the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Hope rests on your shoulders.
Later People emphasizes that while Mao’s legacy is a complex and contested one, his impact on China remains undeniable. The article concludes with a powerful statement: Ten thousand years is too long,but the red will never fade.
This anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of Mao Zedong on China and the world. His legacy continues to be debated and analyzed, with different perspectives emerging from various historical and political contexts. While the red of the revolution may have faded in some aspects,the impact of Mao’s ideas and actions on Chinese society and its trajectory remains a subject of ongoing discussion and interpretation.
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