Fifty years after Mao Zedong's death, China let the anniversary pass without official ceremonies or coverage in state media. The date went unnoticed in the country's main media outlets, which did not give special attention to the anniversary.
Mao Zedong died on September 9, 1976, at the age of 82. His embalmed body remains on display in Tiananmen Square, in Beijing, where it continues to be a tourist attraction and central symbol of the People's Republic.
Despite the official silence on this anniversary, Mao's legacy remains omnipresent in contemporary China. His image continues to be displayed in the heart of Beijing and his ideology remains a pillar of the Chinese political system.
The date coincided with a politically sensitive period in China, when the Communist Party is preparing for a quinquennial congress. The absence of ceremonies contrasts with the historical importance attributed to Mao as the founder of the nation.
