Hidden Glimpses of Mao

On December 26， 2013， Mao Zedong turns 120.

Born to a farming family in Xiangtan， Hunan Province， in 1893， Mao Zedong became a Chinese Marxist military and political leader who led the Communist Party of China （CPC） to victory over the Kuomintang （KMT） in Chinas War of Liberation （1945-1949）. He served as the Chairman of the CPC Central Committee from 1945 until his death in 1976， which is why he was referred to as “Chairman Mao” in Chinese as well as English. In China， he was also recognized as a poet， calligrapher and writer. Regarded as one of the most important figures in recent world history， Mao was also included in Time magazines Most Influential People of the 20th Century.

In everyday life， Mao was an ordinary person. He loved swimming and swam at Beidaihe Summer Resort， and in Yangtze， Pearl， Qiantang and Xiangjiang rivers and often encouraged others to participate in the activity. In 1966， 73-year-old Mao swam across the Yangtze River again. It took him 75 minutes in water to cover 15 kilometers. He was certainly strong-willed. During his later years， he was constantly advised by doctors to change his eating habits – his love of greasy meat and chilis were deemed unhealthy for seniors – but he never listened. He was known for his sense of humor. In 1974， Zambias President， Kenneth David Kaunda， visited China. The women accompanying President Kaunda curtsied to Mao， and Mao immediately curtsied right back at them， resulting in thunderous laughter. When he found a break from work， Mao liked to visit friends， spend time with his family， and stroll in the street like everyone else.

Even today， Mao is still loved by many Chinese people. He led a simple life， fought hard against corruption， and asked every person to re-examine themselves. He spent his entire life becoming closer to ordinary Chinese people， and investing in their interests. His tough foreign policy is still adored by many today. In 1950s， he refused the Soviet Unions proposal to create a Soviet-Chinese joint fleet as well as radio stations in China， at the risk of diplomatic split with the super power.

This issue， we bring you pictures that depict Maos life. Through the lenses of photographers， readers can discover a more vivid Mao from new angles. Many of these images were provided by Maos relatives and former staffers. Many are seeing publication for the very first time.