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Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Interesting aspect 1 One very interesting and somehow bewildering aspect of China is the people's reverence towards Mao. The older generation of Chinese especially perceive Mao as a semi-divine man-god. This is probably due to CCP's successful propaganda in portraying Mao as the father of modern China, deserving utmost loyalty, adoration and respect from any Chinese. Of course it is not exactly wrong to see Mao as China's hero because he was indeed the revolutionary who displayed extraordinary leadership skills, in contrast to leaders from the KMT, hastening China out from her dynastic past and into modernisation. On the other hand, the extents that the CCP takes to remember Mao is simply mind boggling. Take for example, conserving Mao's actual anatomy, encouraging citizens to buy chrysanthemums as offerings for Mao's statue and also castrating themselves in the presence of Mao's statue. The fact that the Chinese did what they did willingly surprised me. If we take this scenario to Singapore, it will be akin to Singaporeans kneeling down to Lee Kuan Yew in adoration, a gesture I am sure not many will do. This shows the difference in mindset between the Chinese and Singaporeans.
However, it is clear that the intensity of respect for Mao declines through the generations. Through interaction with our buddies I figured that as patriotic as they are towards their country, they will rather sacrifice themselves for their nation than for a leader, Mao.