Mao Zedong vs. Xijing Ping

Attribute	Mao Zedong	Xijing Ping
Birth Year	1893	1953
Political Ideology	Communism	Communism
Role in Chinese Revolution	Leader of the Communist Party	Current General Secretary of the Communist Party
Leadership Style	Authoritarian	Authoritarian
Impact on China	Established the People's Republic of China	Continued economic growth and modernization

Background

Mao Zedong, also known as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary who founded the People's Republic of China in 1949. He served as the Chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment until his death in 1976. Xi Jinping, on the other hand, is the current General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and the President of the People's Republic of China. He assumed office in 2012 and has since consolidated power within the party.

Leadership Style

Mao Zedong was known for his authoritarian leadership style, often making decisions unilaterally without consulting others. He implemented radical policies such as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, which had disastrous consequences for the Chinese people. Xi Jinping, on the other hand, has been described as a more pragmatic leader who seeks to maintain stability and economic growth while also consolidating his power within the party.

Economic Policies

Under Mao Zedong's leadership, China experienced economic turmoil due to his policies such as collectivization and the suppression of private enterprise. The Great Leap Forward, in particular, led to widespread famine and economic collapse. In contrast, Xi Jinping has focused on economic reform and opening up China to foreign investment. He has also launched initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative to expand China's economic influence globally.

Foreign Policy

Mao Zedong was known for his revolutionary foreign policy, supporting communist movements around the world and engaging in conflicts such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Xi Jinping, on the other hand, has pursued a more assertive foreign policy, asserting China's territorial claims in the South China Sea and expanding its military presence in the region. He has also sought to strengthen China's relationships with other countries through initiatives such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Human Rights

During Mao Zedong's rule, human rights abuses were rampant, with millions of people persecuted and killed during the Cultural Revolution. Xi Jinping has also been criticized for his human rights record, with reports of crackdowns on dissent and censorship of the media and internet. However, he has also implemented some reforms, such as abolishing the one-child policy and improving access to healthcare and education for the Chinese people.

Legacy

Mao Zedong is a controversial figure in Chinese history, revered by some as a revolutionary hero and condemned by others for the atrocities committed during his rule. His image and legacy have been carefully curated by the Chinese government, with his portrait still prominently displayed in Tiananmen Square. Xi Jinping, on the other hand, is still in power and his legacy is yet to be fully determined. He has sought to consolidate his power and position China as a global superpower, but his authoritarian tendencies have raised concerns among some observers.