Xi Jinping on Mao Zedong

Principled Affirmation (strong)

TL;DR

Xi Jinping honors Mao Zedong as the essential founder of the PRC whose historical achievements are paramount.

Key Points

He stated that the official assessment of Mao is that his achievements are first, and his mistakes are second, including the serious mistake of the Cultural Revolution.
He champions Mao Zedong Thought as the creative application and development of Marxism-Leninism in China, embodying the spirit of seeking truth from facts and the mass line.
The leader explicitly stated in January 2013 that it is unacceptable to use the post-reform period to deny the pre-reform Mao era, or vice versa, citing political necessity.

Summary

Xi Jinping consistently affirms Mao Zedong as the main founder of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). He lauds Mao as a great Marxist, revolutionary, and national hero who achieved national independence and established the fundamental socialist system, providing the necessary foundation for contemporary China. This position is most clearly articulated in major addresses, such as the one given on Mao’s 130th birth anniversary in December 2023. The leader frequently repeats the need to fully recognize Mao's indelible historical contributions to the Chinese nation and people, presenting him as a pivotal figure whose legacy cannot be erased.

His position involves maintaining the official, balanced assessment that Mao’s achievements outweigh his mistakes, which include the serious error of the Cultural Revolution, but this is framed as a necessary stance to protect the Party's legitimacy. He views any attempt to fully negate Mao, as happened in the Soviet Union with Stalin, as a critical political risk that could lead to the collapse of the Party and the state. Therefore, the best way to commemorate the founding leader is through the continuation of the cause he started: comprehensively promoting Chinese-style modernization to achieve national rejuvenation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Xi Jinping's core position on Mao Zedong?

Xi Jinping strongly affirms Mao Zedong as the essential founder of the PRC and the main representative of the CPC's first generation of leadership. He praises Mao for achieving national independence and establishing the basic socialist system in China. This affirmation is central to the Party's historical narrative and legitimacy.

Has Xi Jinping's stance evolved to be more like Mao's?

While Xi imitates Mao in rhetoric and emphasizes the absolute leadership of the CCP, which has Maoist roots, analysts suggest he is more focused on internal Party discipline, drawing influence from other leaders like Liu Shaoqi. His policies blend Maoist emphasis on Party control with Deng Xiaoping's market mechanisms.

Why does Xi Jinping defend Mao's legacy so strongly?

He views the defense of Mao's entire historical period as critical for maintaining the CPC's legitimacy; negating Mao's rule, he argues, risks undermining the Party's foundation. He frequently cites the Soviet Union's collapse following its denunciation of Stalin as a cautionary tale.