Fifty years after Mao Zedong's death, China let this Wednesday pass without holding official ceremonies or giving prominence to the anniversary in the state press. The founder of the People's Republic died on September 9, 1976.
Despite the absence of formal celebrations, Mao Zedong's figure remains symbolically omnipresent in China. The leader's portrait continues to hang in Tiananmen Square, in Beijing, and his image is widely venerated in various regions of the country.
Mao Zedong's death occurred in 1976, a significant year for China, which also witnessed the death of Prime Minister Zhou Enlai and the Tangshan earthquake. After his death, Deng Xiaoping emerged as a central figure in Chinese politics.
The omission of the anniversary contrasts with Mao's historical relevance, who ruled China for decades and left a profound legacy in the country, both through his political impact and his symbolic presence that persists to this day.
