<p>Now Mao Xinyu, the Great Helmsman’s only grandson, is making waves himself following an apparent promotion to major-general, at 39, the youngest in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).<br /><br />His elevation has not been announced formally, but state media said he was recently introduced by the new title while making a speech as a researcher for the Academy of Military Sciences.<br /><br />The news comes ahead of October 1 celebrations marking 60 years since his grandfather proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic.<br /><br />Mao Xinyu appears to be the very model of a modern major-general, with his own blog. In addition to his official duties he works to uphold the family name, having written a biography, Grandfather Mao Zedong, and sung songs in his honour.<br /><br />In an interview with Southern People Weekly last week, Mao said he had hoped to continue researching classical literature: “But my mother firmly required me to study Mao Zedong thought. Now I see this was a completely correct decision.”<br /><br />He added: “It was after joining the army that I began to really understand grandpa. If I hadn’t joined the army and the party, I would feel more relaxed when facing grandpa, just like a grandson in an ordinary family.<br /><br />“However, I couldn’t. As a soldier, I regard him as our leader and commander-in-chief.”<br /><br />Mao Xinyu is the child of Mao’s son Anqing, borne by his second wife Yang Kaihui, who was killed by a warlord in 1930, aged 29. Mao Anqing died two years ago, aged 84. Mao Xinyu’s mother Shao Hua became a major-general in PLA in 1995.<br /><br />Mao’s granddaughter, Kong Dongmei, has also written about her forebear in books, although she never met him.<br /><br />Her mother, Li Min, and aunt, Li Na, are members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body to the country’s largely rubber-stamp parliament. Li Na has said that Mao was very strict with his children, telling a Chinese newspaper: <br /><br />“He didn’t wish for us to become famous. He only wanted us to work with our own hands. He said he would be satisfied if we could become common labourers.”<br />None of them followed quite that path, but unlike the offspring of other top party leaders, they did not end up as business tycoons.</p>
<p>Now Mao Xinyu, the Great Helmsman’s only grandson, is making waves himself following an apparent promotion to major-general, at 39, the youngest in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).<br /><br />His elevation has not been announced formally, but state media said he was recently introduced by the new title while making a speech as a researcher for the Academy of Military Sciences.<br /><br />The news comes ahead of October 1 celebrations marking 60 years since his grandfather proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic.<br /><br />Mao Xinyu appears to be the very model of a modern major-general, with his own blog. In addition to his official duties he works to uphold the family name, having written a biography, Grandfather Mao Zedong, and sung songs in his honour.<br /><br />In an interview with Southern People Weekly last week, Mao said he had hoped to continue researching classical literature: “But my mother firmly required me to study Mao Zedong thought. Now I see this was a completely correct decision.”<br /><br />He added: “It was after joining the army that I began to really understand grandpa. If I hadn’t joined the army and the party, I would feel more relaxed when facing grandpa, just like a grandson in an ordinary family.<br /><br />“However, I couldn’t. As a soldier, I regard him as our leader and commander-in-chief.”<br /><br />Mao Xinyu is the child of Mao’s son Anqing, borne by his second wife Yang Kaihui, who was killed by a warlord in 1930, aged 29. Mao Anqing died two years ago, aged 84. Mao Xinyu’s mother Shao Hua became a major-general in PLA in 1995.<br /><br />Mao’s granddaughter, Kong Dongmei, has also written about her forebear in books, although she never met him.<br /><br />Her mother, Li Min, and aunt, Li Na, are members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body to the country’s largely rubber-stamp parliament. Li Na has said that Mao was very strict with his children, telling a Chinese newspaper: <br /><br />“He didn’t wish for us to become famous. He only wanted us to work with our own hands. He said he would be satisfied if we could become common labourers.”<br />None of them followed quite that path, but unlike the offspring of other top party leaders, they did not end up as business tycoons.</p>
