China's Great Leap Backwards: Xi Jinping and the cult of Mao

By Philip Wen
Updated May 16 2016 - 1:23pm, first published 12:31pm
Chinese economist and prominent Liberal critic Mao Yushi says without strong economic growth, reform is much harder. Photo: Sanghee Liu
Chinese economist and prominent Liberal critic Mao Yushi says without strong economic growth, reform is much harder. Photo: Sanghee Liu
Xi Zhongxun and his sons. Photo: Supplied
Xi Zhongxun and his sons. Photo: Supplied
Xi Zhongxun under persecution during the cultural revolution. Photo: Supplied
Xi Zhongxun under persecution during the cultural revolution. Photo: Supplied
Chinese President Xi Jinping  reviews the army during the biggest military parade in decades to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender during World War II. Photo: Ng Han Guan/AP
Chinese President Xi Jinping reviews the army during the biggest military parade in decades to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender during World War II. Photo: Ng Han Guan/AP
Xi Jinping and his father Xi Zhongxun, a war hero who later suffered during Mao's Cultural Revolution. Photo: Supplied
Xi Jinping and his father Xi Zhongxun, a war hero who later suffered during Mao's Cultural Revolution. Photo: Supplied

Beijing:  Today marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. From what would become known as the "May 16 notification", Chairman Mao plunged China into a decade of brutality and upheaval in the name of purging bourgeoisie and traditional cultural elements and consolidating Mao Zedong Thought as the dominant ideology.

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