China is celebrating what would have been the 120th birthday of communist leader Mao Zedong. <br /><br />Chairman Mao was the founder of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. <br /><br />Whilst members of the Politburo Standing Committee of China’s ruling Communist Party visited Mao’s mausoleum in Tiananmen Square, events around the country were more low-key this year.<br /><br />This may be due to the economic and social reforms being pursued by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The one-child policy will be relaxed and markets will become less regulated. <br /><br />Some are unhappy with reforms, blaming them for widening the gap between the rich and poor. Leftists critical of the economic changes praise Mao Zedong as a way of voicing their dissent.<br /><br />During nearly 30 years in power, Mao attempted to create a Chinese version of communism and re-shape society. But his Great Leap Forward economic plan and Cultural Revolution led to the deaths of millions of people.
