Today Marks the 130 Birth Anniversary of Mao Zedong, Commemorative Events Held across China
Today Marks the 130 Birth Anniversary of Mao Zedong, Commemorative Events Held across China
On December 26, 2023, the 130th birth anniversary of Mao Zedong, commemorative events were held across various regions in China to honor the legacy of the founding father of the People’s Republic of China.
Throughout the country, people gathered to pay tribute to Mao and reflect on his contributions to the Chinese revolution and the establishment of the socialist system. These events served as a platform to commemorate his leadership, ideology, and profound influence on China’s history and development.
In Shaoshan, Mao’s hometown, thousands gathered around Mao’s statue. People carried banners such as “Long live Chairman Mao”, and “We miss Chairman Mao”. Socialist anthems such as “The Internationale” were sung at the event.
Official media did not miss the event either. People’s Daily posted on Weibo and called Mao the greatest “patriot” and “national hero”, posing an interesting difference compared to the people in Shaoshan.
Lawsuit Settled Between US and Chinese Chipmakers
On December 24, the US semiconductor giant Micron Technology reached a global settlement agreement with its Chinese counterpart, Fujian Jinhua. The controversy was sparked when former Micron staff were hired by UMC, a semiconductor manufacturer based in Taiwan island that had a technology cooperation agreement with Fujian Jinhua. Since 2017, Micron has filed lawsuits against the two companies in multiple countries for the theft of trade secrets, while Fujian Jinhua counter-sued Micron for infringement.
Micron has been considered one of the spearheads of the US government’s efforts to suppress the Chinese semiconductor industry through legal action. As the China-US technological competition intensified, the Cyberspace Administration of China started conducting cybersecurity reviews of Micron products earlier this year. With the conclusion that Micron products pose a major security threat, authorities have required operators of China’s “critical information infrastructure” to cease procurement from Micron.
As approximately 25% of its global revenue comes from the Chinese market, Micron has begun repairing its relationship with China. In June, Micron announced a 4.3 billion yuan investment in its factory located in Xi’an, China. In November, Micron’s CEO met with China’s Minister of Commerce and expressed the company’s commitment to expanding investments in China.
“The two companies will each globally dismiss their complaints against the other party and end all lawsuits between them,” wrote an email from a Micron spokeswoman.
China Promotes Two Officers as Generals, Aims to Secure South China Sea
On December 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping promoted two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers to the rank of General. As the Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), Xi signed the orders and presented the promotion certificates to Wang Wenquan, Political Commissar of the Southern Theater Command, and Hu Zhongming, Commander of the PLA Navy. General is the highest rank for officers in active service in China.
The primary missions of the Southern Theater Command include safeguarding territorial integrity in the South China Sea, protecting the country’s southern border provinces, and enforcing area denial in the South China Sea during wartime. The latter mission aims to prevent foreign intervention when the use of force is implemented for the reunification with Taiwan island. To achieve deterrence, a considerable portion of the PLA Rocket Force, equipped with nuclear missiles, has been deployed in the regions under the Southern Theater Command.
The last time the CMC promoted officers to the rank of General was in late July, when the commander and the political commissar of the Rocket Force were promoted. With two promotions within half a year, the Chinese leadership has emphasized its attention to the force for strategic deterrence and reaffirmed its resolve to pursue territorial unification and integrity.