Xi bows to Mao as China prepares to celebrate 70 years of Communist rule

The last time a Chinese leader bowed to the statue of the “Great Helmsman” was six years ago, when Xi commemorated Mao’s 120th birthday

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his respects to Chairman Mao Zedong’s embalmed body Monday in a rare gesture ahead of China’s celebration of 70 years of Communist rule. Xi and other top Chinese officials visited Mao’s mausoleum — located in the heart of Beijing in Tiananmen Square — and bowed three times to the late leader’s statue, reported official news agency Xinhua.

He also paid respects to the remains of Mao, whose embalmed body is kept in a glass display at the memorial hall. The last time a Chinese leader bowed to the statue of the “Great Helmsman” was six years ago, when Xi jinping commemorated Mao’s 120th birthday. The move to honour the founder of the People’s Republic of China comes as the country readies itself for a day of tightly-choreographed festivities, including a massive military parade and the release of 70,000 doves.

The anniversary is meant to showcase China’s extraordinary rise from the ravages of war and famine to a modern, powerful nation state whose economic and military muscle is viewed by many with increasing concern. But the celebration comes in a very bad year for the Chinese president. The US-China trade spat threatens to pummel the global economy, while African swine fever has sent the price of pork — the country’s staple — soaring….