Mao Zedong

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Peng Liyuan – China’s dutiful first lady
When Xi Jinping came to power in 2013, he was at first the “Man of Peng Liyuan” for many Chinese. After all, Peng was already a star in China when Xi was still climbing the provincial ladder. “Her singing is known in all the towns and villages of the motherland, her art deeply rooted in […] continue reading →
Blowing down the CCP’s house of cards
Deng Xiaoping understood that a rules-based system was essential to avoid a repeat of the fanatical terror unleashed under Mao Zedong. But his conviction could not overcome his self-interest, and, as President Xi Jinping has shown, the institutional edifice Deng built in the 1980s turned out to be hollow. continue reading →
Xi Jinping’s mission
Xi Jinping is China's strong man. At the upcoming CP Congress, he will even be the first to serve a third term in office. But it has been a long road to the top of the state. What makes this man tick? What goals is he pursuing? continue reading →
China’s prettiest myth of ‘half the sky’
"Women hold up half the sky" is one of Mao Zedong's most famous one-liners. Truth be told, he never actually said this. To this day, women in China are largely excluded from political power. Economically, on the other hand, they are steadily rising to the top of the world. continue reading →
China’s true soft power
The People's Republic is trying to exert influence across the globe with lots of money and even more propaganda, with Confucius Institutes and cultural projects of all kinds. Threats and economic coercion are part of the repertoire. So far, all efforts have been in vain. In the West, Beijing is only running up against ever higher walls. Although it does have effective means at its disposal to exploit its soft powers. One of these, which it once wielded to make foreigners' mouths water, is China's cuisine. continue reading →
China’s growth sacrifices have only just begun
For four decades, rapid economic growth was the prime imperative of China's communist leaders. President Xi Jinping, by contrast, is prepared to forego growth in the interest of cementing the Party's political power and pursuing his Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. continue reading →
Weina Zhao – director searching for her family history
“In our family, there was always the funny anecdote that my grandpa only takes cold showers,” Weina Zhao says. “It wasn’t until I researched for my film Weiyena that I found out why.” Weina Zhao was born in Beijing and moved to Vienna with her family when she was three years old. Her parents even […] continue reading →
The indirect countdown for German-Chinese ties
China's communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations with Germany 50 years ago was just one phrase. Two unlikely actors made it happen: A Chinese journalist and an opposition politician from the CDU. continue reading →
True men on China’s Great Wall
Xi Jinping cultivates a veritable cult around China's Great Wall. Yet Mao Zedong considered the ancient structure to be a feudal relic. But that did not stop him from creating a ritual: Foreign dignitaries on a visit to Beijing outdo each other with the length of their walks along the monument. continue reading →
There is no ‘end of history’ for Beijing
Beijing's approach to its own history is always worth a special look. After all, transparency is not a strong suit here either. In 2006, however, China's Foreign Ministry published a book on declassified documents for the first time. A second volume never came out. Thus, other documents have to serve as a reminder of history. continue reading →
Hong Kong’s papal bridge builder
After a three-year search, the Vatican has found a new bishop for Hong Kong in Stephen Chow Sau-yan. The 62-year-old Jesuit is to broker between the fronts and prevent Christians in Hong Kong from suffering the same fate as the believers on the mainland. continue reading →
Beijing’s imperial heritage
At the Yingtai Pavilion, part of the old Beijing Imperial Palace, the lines of history cross in an unlikely fashion. It was in the setting of imperial splendor that Communist autocrat Mao met with Pu Yi, the deposed last emperor. Recently, Xi Jinping used the same location for a special meeting. And he spared no imperial symbolism for himself. continue reading →
‘We always have to come up with something new in China’
In today's CEO Talk, Kempinski manager Ilja Poepper talks about how to operate luxury hotels during the pandemic and in China's booming hotel market. The key for success are the preferences of the new generation of young Chinese customers: Influencers on social media are pivotal for marketing. Frank Sieren spoke with Poepper. continue reading →
The Song of the Liangjiahe River
Xi is copying Mao: Following the example of a well-known hymn to the former Great Chairman, the new leader is also being given a ballad that praises his deeds. While the cult of personality is becoming increasingly grotesque, there is also growing resistance within the party. continue reading →
Reactions to power expansion: ‘Xi forces us into systems competition’
Where the People's Republic's journey in world history will lead is not decided in Beijing alone – geopolitical developments, economic competition, and disruptive fires such as pandemics weave the coordinate network of the future global balance of power. But who is at the helm in Beijing when it comes to the direction of policy in the years ahead is no longer in doubt since the 6th Plenum. How is Xi's expansion of power viewed in the West? continue reading →
The 6th plenum will be a historical one for Xi
The 6th plenum of the current Central Committee will convene in Beijing next week. Under normal circumstances of the post-reform era, this would herald the end of Xi Jinping's term in office. But the latter dares to break with Deng Xiaoping and wants to anchor himself even more firmly as the "core of the CP". He also wants to lift himself even further up the all-time list of the historic party hierarchy: above Deng, next to Mao. continue reading →
The Red Flag plans to conquer Europe
Luxury carmaker FAW wants to turn the patriotic luxury brand Hongqi into China's first global EV export hit. The selling point of models like the S9 and L5 is primarily their rarity. However, it is still a ways off from the Chinese S-Class. continue reading →
Xi consolidates his position at plenum
The Politburo of the Communist Party has set the exact date for an important plenary conference of the CCP’s Central Committee. The conference will be held from November 8 to 11. Such a plenum is held annually. But this year it has a special significance: It is the last plenum before a major party congress […] continue reading →