Family HistoryAs the only grandson of legendary Chinese leader Mao Zedong (1893-1976), Mao Xinyu feels obliged to write stories about the great family that has been pivotal to the revolution led by the Communist Party of China."Mao Zedong, my grandfather, is the one I worship most, while those I respect most include Mao Anying, my uncle, and Yang Kaihui and He Zizhen, my grandmothers," the young Mao said. "I'll have to spend my life writing stories about these relatives and martyrs from the family." Mao Xinyu, 31, is the son of Mao Anqing, the second son of Mao Zedong. The young man is now studying for his doctorate in the Chinese Academy of Military Science. So far, he has published a collection of theses on Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and a book titled "On Five Best-Known Chinese Emperors in the Eye of Mao Zedong." His first book on his family is about his uncle, Mao Anying, his father's elder brother. Recently, Xinyu appeared in Changsha, the capital of the family's home province, Hunan, to promote "My Uncle Mao Anying" in a local bookstore and gave his autograph to local readers. Mao Anying (1922-50) was killed in US bombing raids shortly after he joined the Korean War (1950-53) as a member of the Chinese People's Volunteers fighting side by side with the People's Army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. His next family book will be about his grandmother, Yang Kaihui (1901-31), the first wife of Mao Zedong, who was executed by the Kuomintang regime. "I've got lots of first-hand material," Xinyu said. "I believe my family stories could reflect the ups and downs in the modern history of China." |
People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |