THE Chinese people, sad but hardly surprised, began to consider their future last night without their country╒s great helmsman.
Mao Tse-tung, maker of the Chinese revolution for more than half a century, died in Peking yesterday morning in his 83rd year. A prepared statement from the Chinese collective leadership lamented the death of the greatest Marxist of the contemporary era.
Mao died just after midnight on Thurday (Peking time) according to Chinese radio which broadcast the news nearly 16 hours later. His death occurred, the radio said, because of the worsening of his illness and despite all treatment. He had not been seen publicly since the end of May when he briefly received his last foreign visitor, Mr Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Mao has left his mark on China. He shattered traditional restraints and urged Chinese (especially the young) to stand up and struggle for Socialism. But his death comes uneasily soon after the major struggle within the party leadership caused by the death of Chou En-lai in January. In April, this led to the dismissal of Chou╒s expected successor, Teng Hsiao-ping.
Yesterday╒s official announcement emphasises that the Chinese must resolutely uphold the unity and unification of the party, in an evident reference to the divisions which have appeared. It also stresses that China must continue to carry out Mao Tse-tung╒s line on foreign affairs, the policy which led to dÄtente with the United States and Peking╒s entry to the United Nations.
The immediate political task will be to fill the position held by Mao since 1945. He was Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party. This must be done at a full session of the party╒s Central Committee, but this body was badly split earlier this year over the case of Teng. It may find it difficult to decide on Mao╒s successor.
In one of his last audiences Mao again showed his liking for friends of China and enemies of the Soviet Union by welcoming ex-President Nixon to Peking.
Mao was a complex man behind simple slogans. He led China on a successful but difficult path, particularly in the latest years of Cultural Revolution. He has commanded admiration perhaps more than love; respect as much as affection, never speaking nor circulating widely in public. In spite of the personal hagiography it was the thought, above all, which inspired so many millions.
