Days after Communist China’s founding father Mao Zedong died 40 years ago the problem of what to do with his corpse was becoming increasingly heated -- literally. “No one expected that Chairman Mao would die, so there were no preparations at all,” said Xie, now 75, who said he then felt “quite proud” to be involved in preserving the Great Helmsman’s body. A portrait of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong on a yuan banknote is reflected in water droplets in this picture illustration taken in Taipei October 8, 2010. Senior leaders arrived day and night to bow before the body, adding to the seven-strong refrigeration team’s tensions. “The spirit of the Chinese people finds a focus on Chairman Mao’s body.”

Source: Hindustan Times September 11, 2016 07:06 UTC