Mao Zedong

Gao Zhen – How Mao puts the artist in prison

Gao Zhen is an internationally acclaimed artist. He and his brother critically explore China's history – especially Mao Zedong. This now proves fatal for him.

By Redaktion Table

Mao remains dear to China

In his time, Mao was paid a symbolic monthly salary of 400 yuan. Today, his memorabilia is worth millions of yuan. It is difficult to imagine what the Great Chairman would say about the cult surrounding the Cultural Revolution.

By Carolyn Braun

A time when China's master spies were still romantic revolutionaries

Mao staffed China's highest positions with old revolutionaries, Deng Xiaoping with technocrats, and Xi apparently brought more and more security officials on board. To mark the end of the year: A look back at the espionage traditions of the 20th century.

By

Egg fried rice, Mao and Xi

The "View from China" column is written by authors from the People's Republic. Today's article is about fried rice with egg, Mao and a very peculiar festival.

By Experts Table.Briefings

China's bizarre saga of Yan Mingfu and Yan Baohang

Yan Mingfu and his father Yan Baohang are the protagonists of a bizarre Chinese century saga. Both Yans served the Great Chairman Mao, the father as a super spy, and the son as chief interpreter. Today, their legacy is swept under the carpet by Xi Jinping's government. Yet Yan Mingfu's memoirs are considered a "treasure trove of historical truth."

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Peng Liyuan – China's dutiful first lady

By Redaktion Table

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.

By Experts Table.Briefings

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?

By Michael Radunski

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.

By Experts Table.Briefings

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.

By Experts Table.Briefings