An actor playing China's former leader Mao Zedong waves as people gather in China's central province of Hunan on December 24 to celebrate Mao's 120th anniversary today. These photos show how the country prepares to commemorate his birthday and how he is remembered in China.
China celebrates Mao's 120th anniversary —
An actor playing China's former leader Mao Zedong waves as people gather in China's central province of Hunan on December 24 to celebrate Mao's 120th anniversary today. These photos show how the country prepares to commemorate his birthday and how he is remembered in China.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images
People wait to eat free noodle in Mao Zedong's anniversary of 120 birthday at his hometown in Shaoshan, China.
China celebrates Mao's 120th anniversary —
People wait to eat free noodle in Mao Zedong's anniversary of 120 birthday at his hometown in Shaoshan, China.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Image
An elderly woman holds a bronze statue of China's former leader Mao Zedong as she makes her way in China's central province of Hunan on December 24, joining others in celebrating Mao's 120th anniversary this week.
China celebrates Mao's 120th anniversary —
An elderly woman holds a bronze statue of China's former leader Mao Zedong as she makes her way in China's central province of Hunan on December 24, joining others in celebrating Mao's 120th anniversary this week.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images
A man displays badges of Mao Zedong.
China celebrates Mao's 120th anniversary —
A man displays badges of Mao Zedong.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images
A gold and jade statue of Mao Zedong marks his 120th anniversary at an exhibition in Shenzhen in Southern China on December 13. The statue, is said to be worth more than $16 million.
China celebrates Mao's 120th anniversary —
A gold and jade statue of Mao Zedong marks his 120th anniversary at an exhibition in Shenzhen in Southern China on December 13. The statue, is said to be worth more than $16 million.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
This picture taken on November 26 shows workers cleaning a statue of Mao Zedong still under construction in central China's Hunan province, ahead of the 120th anniversary of Mao's birth.
This picture taken on November 26 shows workers cleaning a statue of Mao Zedong still under construction in central China's Hunan province, ahead of the 120th anniversary of Mao's birth.
Tourists visit the statue of Mao Zedong ahead of his 120th birthday.
Tourists visit the statue of Mao Zedong ahead of his 120th birthday.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
This picture taken on April 24 shows workers caving a Chairman Mao sculpture with sea salt in East China's Shandong province.
This picture taken on April 24 shows workers caving a Chairman Mao sculpture with sea salt in East China's Shandong province.
AFP/AFP/Getty Images
This photo taken last year shows Little Red Books containing the thoughts of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong at Fan Jianchuan's Cultural Revolution museum near Chengdu, in Sichuan province.
This photo taken last year shows Little Red Books containing the thoughts of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong at Fan Jianchuan's Cultural Revolution museum near Chengdu, in Sichuan province.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
A woman admires an artwork by Joe Black of Mao Zedong entitled, 'Workers of the World, Unite!', which is made from 9000 hand-painted toy soldiers, in the Opera Gallery on October 14.
A woman admires an artwork by Joe Black of Mao Zedong entitled, 'Workers of the World, Unite!', which is made from 9000 hand-painted toy soldiers, in the Opera Gallery on October 14.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images
This photo taken last year shows Mao Zedong memorabilia at a museum
This photo taken last year shows Mao Zedong memorabilia at a museum
PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images
Statues of former leader Mao Zedong and figurines depicting moments in China's political history are displayed for sale at the Panjiayuan market in Beijing last year.
Statues of former leader Mao Zedong and figurines depicting moments in China's political history are displayed for sale at the Panjiayuan market in Beijing last year.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages