It is hearty to see Chinese media admitting the egregiousness of the Cultural Revolution. Fifty years after Mao Zedong’s historic enterprise led to killings, chaos and persecution, Chinese newspapers yesterday came out with editorials which said the revolution didn’t contribute positively to Chinese society. Launched in 1966, the revolution was aimed at destroying symbols of capitalism to usher in the perfect Communist order in keeping with Mao Zedong’s principles purportedly based on Marxism.
The Red Guards fanned out all over the country, killing anyone who wouldn’t fall in line. The marauding Guards were but one feature of the revolution that led to thousands being jailed. Mao had decided to rid China of all forms of capitalism and turn it into a near-utopia Communist nation.
The Revolution that included purges of Mao’s opponents was to last for a decade and lead to unprecedented suffering for hundreds of thousands of people. The misled enforcement of radical egalitarianism was to blow up in the face of a China that was not the land it is today.
The Chinese Communist Party’s repudiation of the Cultural Revolution in 1981 set the stage for what would be a protracted wait for society to respond to the sufferings of people. More than a million Chinese were killed during the Revolution decade.
Some weeks ago, western media was up in arms protesting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to media offices. On Monday — the anniversary of the Revolution — the Chinese media was relatively mute, which triggered reports in western media outlets. However, the denouncement of the event yesterday led to an acknowledgement that the Chinese media had not cringed. The day was also marked with some symbolism. The resistance to the visit of a senior Chinese party official to Hong Kong, which has been festering with mainland China’s authority over its affairs, made international headlines. The pro-democracy protests of 2014 left a bad taste in the mouth for Beijing, which has been ruling the southern territory under the principle “one country, two systems.”
For China, which has been called a civilisational state, it is very hard to break away from the past. In spite of official denouncement of the Cultural Revolution, Mao remains a revered finger and his portrait adorns the Tiananmen Gate.
The Chinese media’s response to the Cultural Revolution on its 50th anniversary deserves adulation and shows newspapers in the most populous country are transcending barriers. It is hoped that a balanced approach in the future will go a long way in increasing media credibility in China.
It is hearty to see Chinese media admitting the egregiousness of the Cultural Revolution. Fifty years after Mao Zedong’s historic enterprise led to killings, chaos and persecution, Chinese newspapers yesterday came out with editorials which said the revolution didn’t contribute positively to Chinese society. Launched in 1966, the revolution was aimed at destroying symbols of capitalism to usher in the perfect Communist order in keeping with Mao Zedong’s principles purportedly based on Marxism.
The Red Guards fanned out all over the country, killing anyone who wouldn’t fall in line. The marauding Guards were but one feature of the revolution that led to thousands being jailed. Mao had decided to rid China of all forms of capitalism and turn it into a near-utopia Communist nation.
The Revolution that included purges of Mao’s opponents was to last for a decade and lead to unprecedented suffering for hundreds of thousands of people. The misled enforcement of radical egalitarianism was to blow up in the face of a China that was not the land it is today.
The Chinese Communist Party’s repudiation of the Cultural Revolution in 1981 set the stage for what would be a protracted wait for society to respond to the sufferings of people. More than a million Chinese were killed during the Revolution decade.
Some weeks ago, western media was up in arms protesting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to media offices. On Monday — the anniversary of the Revolution — the Chinese media was relatively mute, which triggered reports in western media outlets. However, the denouncement of the event yesterday led to an acknowledgement that the Chinese media had not cringed. The day was also marked with some symbolism. The resistance to the visit of a senior Chinese party official to Hong Kong, which has been festering with mainland China’s authority over its affairs, made international headlines. The pro-democracy protests of 2014 left a bad taste in the mouth for Beijing, which has been ruling the southern territory under the principle “one country, two systems.”
For China, which has been called a civilisational state, it is very hard to break away from the past. In spite of official denouncement of the Cultural Revolution, Mao remains a revered finger and his portrait adorns the Tiananmen Gate.
The Chinese media’s response to the Cultural Revolution on its 50th anniversary deserves adulation and shows newspapers in the most populous country are transcending barriers. It is hoped that a balanced approach in the future will go a long way in increasing media credibility in China.
