October 17, 2008
Mao Xinyu (毛新宇), the grandson of Chairman Mao Zedong, looks set to become dean of China’s first undergraduate level university department to be dedicated to the study of Mao Zedong Thought.
A compulsory course entitled ‘An Overview of Mao Zedong Thought’ (毛泽东思想概论) has been taught in all mainland universities for years out of respect for the erstwhile Chairman, but the establishment of a Mao Zedong Thought department presided over by the Great Helmsman’s own grandson is an entirely new development.
Today’s New Express, a Guangzhou based newspaper, reported that Dr. Mao Xinyu, currently on a lecture tour in Guangzhou, is considering establishing what he described as a Department of Mao Zedong thought at the privately funded Songtian College. The institution has approved Mao’s proposal, and pending approval by the Ministry of Education, enrollment in the new department will start next September.
Mao told the newspaper that his mother (General Shao Hua who passed away earlier this year) hoped that China could have a learning institution specializing in the study of Chairman Mao. Mao also hoped that the Mao Zedong department in Songtian College could be a successful model for other universities.
In answer to questions about the relevance and appeal of Mao Zedong Thought to university students, the younger Mao said that his grandfather’s theories cover a range of fields from politics to management, making the Chairman’s theories applicable for success in any endeavor.
The big photo on the front page shows Taiwanese tycoon and philanthropist Wang Yong-ching (王永庆), who died on October 15 in New York, aged 91. Wang planed to build 10,000 elementary schools in the Mainland and donated 100 million yuan this year to earthquake relief efforts.
Another story reports that a big toy manufacturer in Dongguan, Guangdong Province suddenly closed down, leaving over 6,500 employees jobless. The report speculated that as the looming global recession becomes reality, China’s export-dependent economy is likely to suffer.
- New Express (Chinese): Mao Xinyu plans to establish a Mao Zedong Thought Department in Guangzhou