Rubbish collector sings Mao’s praises as Zhao the PLA veteran
The fact that the economic benefits of the past three decades have bypassed people like Zhao Shunli only convinces him that the reform era of opening up was a mistake and a betrayal of the working class
Zhao Shunli’s transformation takes place several times a week in a simple bedroom filled with Mao Zedong memorabilia, its concrete walls lined with posters portraying the founder of the communist state. Once his army jacket buttons up and his white gloves snap on, Zhao the rubbish collector becomes Zhao the People’s Liberation Army veteran.
Known as a fixture in a public square in the ancient city of Luoyang, in Henan province Zhao has made it his personal mission to proudly sing the praises of the Great Helmsman, as Mao is widely called.
As the 50th anniversary of the start of the Cultural Revolution unfolded this week, many Chinese recall Mao’s political movement that claimed at least a million lives through violent persecution and suicide. Countless more lives were ruined in a decade that tore apart Chinese families, workplaces and society.
But armed with his scratchy loudspeaker, Zhao will carry on his almost-daily song-and-dance routine in Luoyang’s main plaza, extolling the visionary whom he says fought for humble men before dying in 1976, leaving China in the hands of corrupt leaders and “capitalist traitors” who led the country astray.
