What do they think of Mao Zedong now?

Factual Questions
1

Mods: This may be more IMHO territory, but I thought I would start here first.

How does the Chinese government reconcile the Maoist ideas of the 60’s and 70’s with today’s rush toward capitalism? Is Mao still revered as the almost God-like figure he was back then, or has his image been tarnished? And how does the average Chinese citizen feel about him? I’m not referring to the Maoist who wants to return the country back to the 1970’s. And what about Lenin in Russia? Again, I’m not referring to someone who wants things back to the way they were in the 60’s, but your average Russian worker.

It would sort of be like the US turning into a communist county, yet still worshiping the founding fathers…

2

The official government position, as much as there is one, is to acknowledge that Mao made mistakes, but that his heart was in the right place and his accomplishments extraordinary. Basically it is the equivalent of how someone in America would view the founding fathers. Yeah, they owned slaves, were racists, and felt women were inferior, but damnit they founded our country. That is basically how the Chinese view Mao.

3

When I lived in China, people would tell me 70/30. Mao was 70% right, 30% wrong.

He was a hero for his early life, rising to take power, and making sure that China was actually lead by a Chinese person.

However, most Chinese admit he got massively power crazy and made many errors.

4

I think it can be done as a GQ, as long as it doesn’t devolve into a debate about how we feel on the subject.

5

His portrait still hangs above the entrace to the forbidden city, facing Tien Amen square. WHen I was there last year, the lineup to see his body in the masoleum there on some random day was HUGE (although it moved quickly). He may not be a God anymore, but I get the impression that he is still seriously respected. Plus, he’s on their money…

6

Many Chinese, including the leadership, still revere Mao. There has just been a huge premiere in Beijing of the blockbuster movie, The Founding of a Party, one of the most expensive Chinese films ever made, with a cast of thousands and stars like Chow Yun Fat and Liu Ye (who plays Mao Zedong).

Believe me, they still love the guy over there.

7

Mao leaping madly in slow motion while firing off his twin berettas? Sounds like a must-see.