The strangest and most shocking Asian city, Beijing, combines all civilizations in one
Beijing is a shock. Is it still Asia or somewhere else? Where is the old city? The avenues are wide and long, and skyscrapers look taller than anyof those in Moscow. A network of paid highways keeps growing. The slums are demolished by entire blocks. However, some things never change under the brand-new neon signs and ultramodern compounds. Rickshaws are wheeling, peddlers are persistently trying to sell you fried snakes, cockroaches, and frogs’ legs. And crowds on the streets are about to become a real problem for Beijing.
A special lifestyle is born of overpopulation. Everybody talks too loud because they want to be heard in a crowd. Shop owners use megaphones for advertising all sort of merchandise from dawn till dusk. You can imagine pandemonium.
Exactly 40 years ago in May, Chairman Mao launched the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. But the Chinese media keeps silent about the anniversary, my guide follows suit. I raise the issue myself.
“What is the attitude to Mao Zedong these days?”
My guide takes a pause to choose the words in a most careful way.
“It is believed that Chairman Mao’s deeds were 30% wrong, and 70% right,” is the only reply that I get from him.
Are the events of the past slipping into oblivion?
The mausoleum holding the body of the Great Helmsman is located in Tiananmen Square. Scores of people are milling around the mausoleum. They are eager to step inside and take a look at Chairman Mao. Many are carrying flags and Mao’s portraits. Several soldiers watch over the crowd, they are positioned on special platforms.
For unknown reason, there is a fire extinguisher sitting at the foot level of every soldier. Plainclothes security agents give orders to the noisy crowd. They shape it into a line, four people abreast. Men, women, and children are told to keep the distance and proceed in due time. Some people are asked to step out and produce their IDs.
Kiosks sell souvenirs inside one of the mausoleum’s halls. The image of Mao graces photographs, quotation books, watches, medallions, key holders, lapel pins. Merchandise is sold by the piece or by the set. A picture of Mao wearing his trademark military cap and jacket, his hand outstretched waiving to the masses. The price tag reads: “The souvenir of Chairman Mao. Mausoleum.” It cost 15 yuan apiece.
Translated by Guerman Grachev
Pravda.Ru
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