Xi Jinping bows to Mao ahead of China’s 70th anniversary

TIL Desk/World/Beijing/ Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his respects to Chairman Mao Zedong’s embalmed body Monday in a rare gesture ahead of China’s celebration of 70 years of Communist rule.

Xi and other top Chinese officials visited Mao’s mausoleum — located in the heart of Beijing in Tiananmen Square — and bowed three times to the late leader’s statue.

He also paid respects to the remains of Mao, whose embalmed body is kept in a glass display at the memorial hall. The last time a Chinese leader bowed to the statue of the “Great Helmsman” was six years ago, when Xi commemorated Mao’s 120th birthday.

The move to honour the founder of the People’s Republic of China comes as the country readies itself for a day of tightly-choreographed festivities, including a massive military parade and the release of 70,000 doves.